The laws surrounding the legal status of various cannabinoids in the United States of America can be very confusing. This is especially the case when it comes to the main form of THC, Delta-9 THC.
As you might know, there are federal laws that state that Delta-9 THC may be legal in very small quantities as long as it meets certain conditions. However, what about the state of Tennessee?
If you live in the state of Tennessee, are you allowed to buy Delta-9 THC? Are you allowed to buy any amount of Delta-9 THC you want? What about cannabis itself?
Is cannabis legal for recreational use in the state of Tennessee, or are there legal ramifications for possessing it? Today, we're going to try and answer all of your most pressing questions about the legal status of Delta-9 THC and other cannabinoids in the state of Tennessee.
Key Takeaways
- Delta-9 THC is the number one most commonly occurring major cannabinoid in cannabis plants.
- Delta-9 THC can be derived from the hemp plant, and as long as it is present in concentrations under 0.3%, it is considered legal at a federal level.
- Tennessee considers hemp-derived THC present in small quantities to be legal.
Delta-9-THC And The Federal Law
The federal law surrounding Delta-9 THC and other cannabinoids is very clear. There was a bill passed in 2018 known as the Farm Bill. This bill was all about industrial hemp, and it states that cannabinoid products may be legal as long as they insert requirements. All cannabinoid products, such as edibles, tinctures, and anything else, must not contain more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.
This means that for instance, a product that weighs 1 gram in total may contain up to 3 milligrams of Delta-9 THC. However, this Delta-9 THC must be CBD or hemp-derived, which means that it must come from the hemp plant, not the cannabis plant.
Therefore, Delta-9 THC is technically legal as long as it comes from the hemp plant and is only present in very small quantities, although in quantities any higher than that, it becomes illegal.
Cannabis itself has not been legalized for recreational use at a federal level, which means that possessing regular cannabis or cannabis buds that are rich in Delta-9 THC is not yet considered legal.
Tennessee Delta-9-THC Laws
Tennessee State laws fall in line with the 2018 Farm Bill. Simply put, Tennessee State laws surrounding the legality of Delta-9 THC and other cannabinoids are the same as the federal laws.
To summarize, in the state of Tennessee, Delta-9 THC is only legal if it is derived from the hemp plant and if it is not present in quantities over 0.3% in terms of dry weight concentrations. Once again, any tincture or edible must not contain more than 3 milligrams of Delta-9 THC per every gram.
Below we have an excerpt from the Tennessee State Bill which legalized such hemp products at a statewide level.
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-402(16XC), is amended by deleting the subdivision and substituting the following:
(C) "Marijuana" also does not include hemp, as defined in $ 43-27-101,
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-415, is amended by deleting subsection (c) and substituting the following:
(c) This section does not categorize hemp, as defined in $ 43-27-101, as a controlled substance.
SECTION 12. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43, is amended by adding the following as a new chapter:
43-27-101.
(3) "Hemp" means the plant cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis; and
(4) "THC" means delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.
Is Delta-9 A Controlled Substance In Tennessee?
This is actually a very tricky question to answer. According to the above definition, Delta-9 THC should not be a controlled substance in the state of Tennessee so long as it comes from the hemp plant and is derived from CBD, and as long as it is not present in concentrations over 0.3%.
As long as it meets those two requirements, that it comes from the hemp plant and is only present in very small quantities, it is considered hemp and not cannabis. However, if that Delta-9 THC comes from a cannabis plant or is present in concentrations over 0.3%, it is generally considered to be cannabis and is therefore considered illegal.
Cannabis itself, with Delta-9 THC being the main psychoactive substance, is not legalized in any way in the state of Tennessee, particularly not for recreational use. Under federal law and Tennessee State law, cannabis is considered to be a controlled substance. Therefore, cannabis containing Delta-9 THC is considered a controlled substance.
As you can see, the laws surrounding cannabis and various cannabinoids in the state of Tennessee can be somewhat confusing. However, the main takeaway here is that cannabis is illegal in Tennessee, whereas hemp and cannabinoid products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are legal. Hemp-derived Delta-9 THC is generally not considered a controlled substance, whereas cannabis-derived THC is.
Delta-9-THC Possession Limits In Tennessee
This can also get somewhat confusing, because if the Delta-9 THC comes from the hemp plant, and if it does not present in quantities or concentrations over 0.3%, then you can possess an unlimited amount of it. As long as the Delta-9 THC you have meets those two requirements, you can do as you want.
For instance, if you have edibles or tinctures that weigh a total of 1 kilogram (1,000 grams), you can have up to 3 grams of Delta-9 THC, and so on. As long as the ratio is correct, you should be just fine.
However, cannabis itself is not legal in Tennessee, which means that you are not allowed to possess any amount of it. Smaller amounts of cannabis possession in the state of Tennessee qualify for a misdemeanor, whereas larger quantities qualify as a felony, with various financial penalties and prison sentences being handed out for convictions.
Is Delta-9-THC Legal In Tennessee?
So long as it is hemp-derived and not present in quantities over 0.3%, yes, Delta-9 THC is legal in the state of Tennessee.
Where To Buy Delta-9 Gummies In Tennessee
If you want to buy some Delta-9 THC gummies in the great state of Tennessee, you can purchase them right here from our selection at Botany Farms.
We have a great selection to choose from, including these Delta-9 Blue Raspberry Gummies and these Delta-9 Mixed Flavor Gummies. If you’d like to try something a bit milder, these Delta-9 Mixed Flavor Microdose Gummiesv might be best for you.
Final Thoughts
Always make sure that any product you purchase that contains Delta-9 THC has been third-party tested to ensure that you aren't doing anything illegal.
Other than that, if you want to try some Delta-9 THC and you live in Tennessee, you are perfectly able to do so. For more information on where Delta-9 is legal, click here. Is Delta-9 legal in Alabama? What about hemp flower in Texas? Is Delta-10 legal in Texas?
Delta-9 THC In Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Before we call it a day, let's quickly answer some of your most frequently asked questions about Tennessee and Delta-9 THC.
When Did Delta-9 Become Legal In Tennessee?
Delta-9 became legal after 2019.
Is Delta-9 Stronger Than Delta-8?
Yes, Delta-9 THC is said to be about twice as strong as Delta-8 THC.
Is Delta-10 Stronger Than Delta-9?
Delta-9 THC is also stronger than Delta-10 THC. Delta-10 THC may only be around 20% to 40% as potent as Delta-9 THC.
