Tennessee Regulators Find Over 650 Shops Selling Unlicensed Hemp

The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) said it found more than 650 businesses selling hemp-derived THC products without a license, WKRN reports.

Since January 1 of this year, the agency has been tasked with regulating the state’s hemp industry. Agents canvassed more than 4,400 stores during the first months of the year and reported finding over 650 retailers selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products without a license.

Tennessee passed its hemp rules in 2023, which require hemp-derived cannabinoid businesses to be licensed by the state Department of Agriculture.

TABC Executive Director Russell Thomas said, “Many of them were not surprised, and frankly, I think knew that they were operating illegally and now know now that we have oversight, we are not going to allow them to continue to operate without a license.”

“It’s really important to the public to know that if they buy these products, they’re buying them from responsible businesses.” — Thomas, in the report

Tennessee approved new restrictions last year on intoxicating hemp product sales, but the industry negotiated a delayed start to the rules so businesses could continue operating until their licenses expire on June 30, 2026.