Tennessee Judge Delays New Hemp Product Regulations

Tennesse’s new hemp product regulations were blocked from taking effect this week in a last-minute ruling by Davidson County Chancellor I’Ashea Myles, who ordered a temporary injunction Monday on the new rules, Tennessee Lookout reports.

The rules were set to take effect Thursday, December 26, but under the injunction are now delayed until February 18.

Judge Myles said the delay gives her more time to consider legal challenges brought by two hemp industry organizations, Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association and Tennessee Growers Coalition, the report said. The plaintiffs claim the rules would amount to state agency overreach, as officials would be prohibiting a substance that was not addressed by lawmakers in their 2023 law to regulate the state’s hemp industry.

“The Department of Agriculture wants to unilaterally outlaw the most popular legal hemp products in Tennessee, those containing THCa. The Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association did not want to sue the Department, but it could not stand by in the face of such a decision. The Department’s rules outlaw products our elected officials in the General Assembly expressly legalized and would force mass layoffs and business closures among our members.” — Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association, via Tennessee Lookout

The Department of Agriculture said in the report, “we respect the court’s decision and look forward to reaching a final resolution of these matters.”