Tennessee House Bill HB1148

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Refer: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/26/25
• Refer: 3/12/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4 and Title 43, Chapter 27, relative to cannabis products.

Summary

HB1148 revises Tennessee’s laws governing hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The bill adds tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCp) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) to the list of controlled substances in Title 39 and also updates the hemp definition in Title 43 to focus on total delta-9 THC concentration of no more than 0.3% on a dry-weight basis. It further defines “decarboxylation” and “total THC,” and specifies how total THC is to be calculated, including by converting THCa into THC for testing purposes. The bill also changes enforcement and testing provisions for hemp products. It makes products containing THCp or THCa that are knowingly manufactured, produced, sold, or offered for sale subject to seizure and forfeiture. In addition, it directs the Department of Agriculture to sample and analyze hemp-derived cannabinoid products using post-decarboxylation testing so that THC concentrations are measured in a way that captures potential total THC content. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

HB1148 would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 and Title 43 by expanding the state’s controlled-substance and hemp regulatory framework to address THCp and THCa explicitly. It would tighten the legal definition of hemp, standardize total THC testing methodology, and authorize seizure and forfeiture of certain hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing the newly listed substances. The bill primarily affects hemp producers, processors, retailers, laboratories, and state regulators responsible for cannabis product enforcement and testing.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill received mixed but generally favorable committee support. It advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by a 7-2 vote and out of the House Judiciary Committee by a 13-7 vote, indicating that a majority supported moving it forward while a meaningful minority opposed or remained concerned. No committee transcripts were provided, so the broader discussion record is limited, but the votes indicate the measure was controversial rather than unanimous.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be the bill’s stricter treatment of hemp-derived cannabinoids, especially THCa and THCp, which are commonly associated with products marketed as hemp but that can convert into intoxicating THC. Supporters likely view the bill as closing a loophole and aligning testing with actual intoxicating potential, while opponents may see it as overbroad, disruptive to the hemp industry, or as effectively restricting products that are currently sold under hemp rules. The split committee votes suggest disagreement over how far Tennessee should go in regulating cannabinoid products and whether the testing and forfeiture provisions are too aggressive.