Good news for Tennessee hemp businesses: the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will honor existing hemp licenses issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) while regulatory control transitions to the TABC.
Current hemp license holders with valid TDA licenses issued before the end of 2025 can continue operating under the existing rules until June 30, 2026. This allows businesses to sell THCa products legally during that time while the TABC finalizes new regulations.
Starting January 1, 2026, the TABC will assume regulatory authority for hemp and hemp-derived products. The new rules are expected to impose stricter restrictions, which may limit or prohibit certain THCa and other intoxicating hemp products, though the final regulations have not been released.
For now, nothing changes. Hemp businesses can continue as usual until June 2026. However, it’s smart to start preparing for new regulations. The TABC has not yet shared all the details, and we’ll update you as soon as more information is available.
While Tennessee’s update brings short-term relief, there are new concerns at the federal level. Congress is currently working on large spending bills that include proposals to change the legal definition of hemp.
Some draft bills and appropriations proposals suggest counting “total THC” (including THCa) toward the 0.3% THC limit and setting per-serving caps (for example, 2mg). These proposals are still under negotiation in Congress and have not yet been enacted into law. If enacted, these changes could make many hemp and THCa products illegal nationwide. Industry groups warn that such restrictions could seriously impact hemp farmers and businesses.
It’s important to note that these changes are not law yet. The House and Senate are still negotiating, and both sides have different versions of the bills.
Tennessee’s temporary relief is a win. It allows farmers and business owners to continue operating legally while preparing for upcoming TABC rules and potential federal changes.
Stay informed, and keep in touch with trusted hemp associations and news sources. Together, the hemp industry can respond quickly and make its voice heard. We’ll continue to post updates as soon as more details are available from both state regulators and federal lawmakers.
