What This Story Is About
- A Tennessee commission says it is “concerned for public health and safety” after more than Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission were found across the state.
Why It Matters
- Failing to follow state regulations for hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) can lead to incomplete testing, which is tied to “serious health implications,” the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) said. It can also lead to unlicensed operators selling untaxed products with “total THC that far exceed legal levels.”
What Happens Next
- The state commission is planning to “focus law enforcement efforts on identifying and penalizing unlicensed operators, with an emphasis on ensuring products comply with state law.”
For Context
- At the beginning of 2026, the TABC began regulating HDCPs under the guidelines of a bill passed last year. Someone caught selling HDCPs without a license can face up to $2,500 in fines and up to 11 months and 29 days behind bars.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT / WSMV) – Law enforcement in Tennessee have caught more than 600 businesses illegally selling hemp products this year.
The accessible online application process (TABC) says the volume of violations has made the group “concerned for public health and safety.”
More than 600 retailers caught
A press release shared Thursday announced the progress, saying agents have found more than 650 illegal hemp-derived cannabinoid product (HDCP) retailers since January 1.
“These products are legally distinct from marijuana but contain lower levels of the same chemical compounds that marijuana contains, including the psychoactive compound Δ[Delta]9-THC,” a press release from the organization said.
State begins regulations in 2026
At the beginning of 2026, TABC began regulating HDCPs under the guidelines of a bill passed last year.
State laws required anyone selling HDCPs to be licensed, pay certain taxes and “ensure products have been tested for safety.” TABC says that as part of an effort to help HDCP suppliers, wholesalers and retailers to comply with state licensing requirements, the state launched an online application portal.
But violations have continued.
“Despite these efforts, agents have canvassed over 4,400 businesses, finding approximately 650 selling HDCPs without a license,” the press release said.
Requirements for HDCP retailers
The state has the following guidelines for HDCPS, per the press release:
- Products being marketed and sold as HDCPs must be tested for levels of the psychoactive compound Δ9-THC [Delta-9]
- HDCPs may not contain concentrations of total THC that exceed 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis
The products must also undergo testing to ensure they contain “compliant concentrations” of:
- heavy metals
- pesticides
- residual solvents
- microbials
- other harmful chemicals
Failing to follow these regulations can lead to incomplete testing, which is tied to “serious health implications,” the TABC said. It can also lead to unlicensed operators selling untaxed products with “total THC that far exceed legal levels.”
“Tennessee consumers should feel confident when they walk into a licensed business… When someone buys from an unlicensed operator, there is no guarantee where that product came from or what is in it,” said TABC director Russell Thomas. “We will not allow bad actors to put public health at risk or undermine businesses that are following the law.”
Punishments for violations
The state commission is planning to “focus law enforcement efforts on identifying and penalizing unlicensed operators, with an emphasis on ensuring products comply with state law.”
Someone caught selling HDCPs without a license can face a class A misdemeanor and up to 11 months and 29 days behind bars. It can also come with up to $2,500 in fines.
“There is no excuse for operating without a license. Licensure has been required for more than two years, and we have provided clear guidance and an accessible online application process,” Thomas said. “We expect businesses to follow the law, and we will hold accountable those who choose not to.”
