Is CBD Legal in Tennessee?
The State of Tennessee has legalized the recreational and medical use of CBD products derived from hemp. Meanwhile, marijuana-derived CBD is only permitted for medicinal use and is available for qualified patients. CBD products that contain non-psychoactive compounds are legal with a limited allowance.
In 2015, Bill Haslam, the 49th governor of Tennessee signed Senate Bill 280 to legalize the possession and use of medical marijuana to help manage a number of health conditions including epilepsy among many others. This law received a positive response from the medical industry, especially patients who want to maximize the medicinal benefits of CBD.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Tennessee?
CBD oil is legal in Tennessee. Residents can access CBD for sale in Tennessee as well as other states. The state has high hopes for CBD oil and how it can become a safer alternative for individuals who use opioids to manage their pain. However, further research on the effects of CBD oil should be done to confirm its abilities.
Consumers can freely purchase CBD products in various shops in Tennessee as well as online. After the Farm bill in 2014 and HB 2032 were signed into law, the state allows the cultivation and study of industrial hemp. More than 30 states in the US are already cultivating the hemp plant. Industrial hemp is known to have tiny traces of THC which means that it does not produce any psychoactive effects.
Is it Legal to Buy CBD Products in Tennessee?
Consumers who want to buy CBD in Tennessee are not required to present a prescription as long as the CBD product they are purchasing follows the standards provided in the Farm Bill including a low THC level. CBD oil and other derivatives are available at a wide range of assortments both in the stores or online.
Before buying any CBD product, buyers are encouraged by the government to do their research first. Some of the factors consumers should look when shopping for a CBD product include the quality of the product, the processing method used, as well as the lab test results. Customer reviews are also important when choosing a brand or manufacturer. Most companies have their products tested from independent or third-party labs. Another important factor is that the CBD ingredients used are formulated by licensed pharmacists with an experience of at least 20 years.
What Do the Laws and Regulations about CBD in Tennessee Specifically Say?
In 2014, Senate Bill 2495 or the House Bill 2445 was passed which categorizes industrial hemp as an agricultural crop with less than 0 mg. THC levels. Two years later, the House Bill 2032 was passed which allows licensed farmers to grow industrial hemp in the state of Tennessee.
When it comes to using medical marijuana for health purposes, the state allows epilepsy patients to have access to CBD. At the same time, there are certain qualifications including the following:
- The individual should be a resident in the State of Tennessee
- The individual must be diagnosed with an intractable form of seizure or epilepsy
- The individual should be under the treatment of a licensed doctor
- The individual must be enrolled in a research or study approved by the state
- The individual is allowed to possess CBD with a THC level of less than 0.9%
Other Important Considerations When Buying CBD in Tennessee
The Marijuana Policy Project explains that the law in Tennessee allows CBD oils that contain trace amounts THC less than 0.9%. The Senate Bill 2531, which was passed in 2014, became Tennessee’s first CBD-focused law. This bill requires state clinics that are affiliated with universities to supervise the research on cannabis oil. At the same time, the study relies on Tennessee Tech to cultivate marijuana in the state.
In 2015, the state legislature passed the SB 280 which permits individuals to possess cannabis oil obtained outside the state. However, the individual must have a legal order from the state. A year later, the legislature amended the law which allows individuals to possess CBD oils as long as it does not exceed the THC level of 0.9% as mentioned above.
To be able to qualify, the individual is required to have proof of recommendation from the state. This should include evidence that the individual or a family member is diagnosed with epilepsy or intractable seizure by a licensed doctor in Tennessee. At the same time, the CBD oils should have a label from the manufacturer indicating that the product does not include more than 0.9% THC. In 2017, the HB 1164 was amended to modify the state’s industrial hemp law which requires growers to have a license from the Department of Agriculture.
What are the 2019 News About CBD in Tennessee?
According to Hemp Law Group, “Tennessee Public Chapter No. 916 amended several laws in Tennessee, including removing hemp from the definition of controlled substances.” Previously, hemp cultivation and transportation were regulated in the state. With the recent changes in hemp laws in Tennessee, the Department of Agriculture made the rules simpler.
Around 50% of the rules were repealed from the previous laws on hemp including the seed acquisition as well as submission of the reports. The newly updated rules also made changes on the licenses which allowed the cultivation of rooted hemp.
Conclusion
The State of Tennessee has recognized the medical value of marijuana. Most residents have shown some form of support in terms of marijuana legislation for both medical and recreational use. In the meantime, the state legislators continue to develop and propose various bills to address the issues surrounding CBD in Tennessee. Compared to other states, Tennessee is a bit more conservative, especially with the use of marijuana-derived CBD products. At the same time, the state’s medical-marijuana program is somewhat still limited.
On the other hand, the state is more lenient and progressive when it comes to using CBD oil. Hence, its easier to find CBD oil across the state including the online selling of various CBD products to make it more accessible to the residents of Tennessee.