TNHAA Action Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 21, 2025 Contact:Email: info@tnhaa.orgPh: 615-812-5272 Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association reaches agreement on Hemp Product Regulatory Transition with TN Departments of Agriculture, Revenue Agreed Order Provides Clarity for Legacy Licensees During Transition NASHVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association (TNHAA) announced today that it has entered into an agreed order with the Tennessee Departments of Agriculture and Revenue voluntarily dismissing a TNHAA lawsuit and clarifying the regulatory framework for existing hemp-derived cannabinoid product (HDCP) businesses during the transition to new state regulations. Like TNHAA’s prior agreement with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the agreement with the Tennessee Departments of Agriculture and Revenue confirms that suppliers and retailers who were issued licenses by the Department of Agriculture on or before December 31, 2025 ("Legacy Licensees") will continue to operate under the 2023 regulatory framework until their existing licenses expire, rather than immediately transitioning to the new 2025 law when it takes effect on January 1, 2026. With this agreement in place, all three state agencies with regulatory authority over HDCPs have agreed that Legacy Licensees will not be subject to the new 2025 law until their existing licenses expire. As a result of this agreement, the pending declaratory judgment action against the Tennessee Departments of Agriculture and Revenue has been dismissed. This represents yet another major win for the industry secured by TNHAA that ensures the continued ability of HDCP businesses to operate under the 2023 regulatory framework until their existing licenses expire. "This agreement, as with the existing agreement with TABC, provides critical clarity and stability for Tennessee's hemp industry during this regulatory transition," said Sam Oechslin, President of TNHAA. "Our members that are legacy license holders can continue operating under the existing regulatory framework they know and have invested in. We appreciate the work involved by all parties to reach this agreement. TNHAA is effectively advocating for our industry, and we hope all those in the industry will consider joining." Background In 2023, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted legislation to regulate and tax the HDCP industry, with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture responsible for issuing licenses, regulating manufacture and distribution, and conducting inspections. The 2025 legislature passed House Bill 1376, which transfers regulatory authority from the Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and establishes a new regulatory framework effective January 1, 2026. The agreed orders resolve questions about how the transition applies to businesses that hold licenses issued by the Department of Agriculture. Under Section 10 of HB 1376, these Legacy Licensees will remain subject to the 2023 law (Title 43, Chapter 27, Part 2 of the Tennessee Code Annotated) until their current licenses expire, rather than being immediately subject to the new 2025 law (Title 57, Chapter 7). About TNHAA The Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association is a Tennessee nonprofit mutual benefit corporation that advocates for businesses in Tennessee's hemp industry and protects its members’ rights to conduct their businesses lawfully. TNHAA's members include companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including Legacy Licensees operating under licenses issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 23, 2025 Contact: info@tnhaa.orgPhone: 615-812-5272 Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association and Alcoholic Beverage Commission Reach Agreement on Hemp Product Regulatory Transition Agreed Order Provides Clarity for Legacy Licensees During Transition NASHVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association (TNHAA) and the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced today that they have entered into an agreed declaratory order that clarifies the regulatory framework for existing hemp-derived cannabinoid product (HDCP) businesses during the transition to new state regulations. The agreement, signed October 23, 2025, confirms that suppliers and retailers who were issued licenses by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture on or before December 31, 2025 ("Legacy Licensees") will continue to operate under the 2023 regulatory framework until their existing licenses expire, rather than immediately transitioning to the new 2025 law when it takes effect on January 1, 2026. "This agreement provides critical clarity and stability for Tennessee's hemp industry during this regulatory transition," said Sam Oechslin, President of TNHAA. "Our members can continue operating under the existing regulatory framework they know and have invested in. We consider this outcome a significant win. TNHAA is effectively advocating for our industry, and we hope all those in the industry will consider joining." Background In 2023, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted legislation to regulate and tax the HDCP industry, with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture responsible for issuing licenses, regulating manufacture and distribution, and conducting inspections. The 2025 legislature passed House Bill 1376, which transfers regulatory authority from the Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and establishes a new regulatory framework effective January 1, 2026. The agreed order resolves questions about how the transition applies to businesses that hold licenses issued by the Department of Agriculture. Under Section 10 of HB 1376, these Legacy Licensees will remain subject to the 2023 law (Title 43, Chapter 27, Part 2 of the Tennessee Code Annotated) until their current licenses expire, rather than being immediately subject to the new 2025 law (Title 57, Chapter 7). Key Provisions of the Agreement Legacy Licensees will continue operating under the 2023 regulatory framework until their Department of Agriculture-issued licenses expire The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission will begin processing applications under the new law on January 1, 2026 Legacy Licensees may apply for new licenses from the Commission before their current licenses expire, with the new licenses becoming effective upon expiration or closure of the Legacy Licenses The agreement was reached after TNHAA filed a petition for a declaratory order on July 15, 2025, seeking clarity on the application of HB 1376 to existing licensees. The parties agreed to this order rather than proceeding with a contested case hearing scheduled for October 23, 2025. About TNHAA The Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association is a Tennessee nonprofit mutual benefit corporation that advocates for businesses in Tennessee's hemp industry and protects its members’ rights to conduct their businesses lawfully. TNHAA's members include companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including Legacy Licensees operating under licenses issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. ###

Updated on July 21, 2025   The American Healthy Alternatives Association and Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association have been sounding the alarm on the harmful language in the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Time is of the essence, because the vote in the U.S. Senate could happen as early as this week, and we need everyone’s voice.  A provision that made it into the Agriculture Appropriations bill would ban nearly all legal hemp products, including safe, federally legal options like CBD that we know millions of Americans rely on every day.   This proposal would: • Eliminate over 99% of the legal hemp market • Shut down small businesses in every state • Kill more than 325,000 American jobs • Take away safe, trusted wellness products from everyday people This isn’t a safety measure — it’s a blanket ban being forced through a must-pass budget bill, overriding state laws and the promises of the 2018 Farm Bill. This Senate version includes some flexibility and a one year delay before implementation will take place, but the House version has the restrictions taking effect immediately.   Here are more specific highlights: 1. The bill proposes changing the federal definition of hemp. Instead of the current 0.3% Delta-9 THC limit, the new definition would apply a “total THC” limit-counting all THC isomers, including Delta-8, Delta-10, and even THCA. This broader definition would significantly narrow what qualifies as legal hemp. 2. The bill would prohibit any cannabinoids that are synthesized outside of the cannabis plant, even if they contain less than 0.3% total THC. This would disqualify many hemp-derived ingredients currently used in legal products. 3. The bill instructs that any measurable amount of THC or THC-like compounds--regardless of whether they are intoxicating--would be banned. Enforcement authority would be delegated to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 4. The bill does explicitly protect hemp grown for fiber, grain, oilseeds, or research purposes. However, edibles and cannabinoid-based products remain at risk, especially depending on how the term “quantifiable” is defined in enforcement.   Here is an approximate timeline: as we mentioned, the Senate could vote this week. The U.S. House must also pass the bill. As of now, the Senate and House versions are different--meaning they will have to then have to meet in conference to reconcile the language, and then a final vote will take place before being sent to the president to sign. People across this country depend on access to legal hemp for health, wellness, and quality of life. This attack on hemp is an attack on personal freedom and choice.  Please help us take action to reject this dangerous language. Your action today can protect access, protect jobs, and protect the rights of everyday Americans.