A Tennessee House subcommittee has voted to advance House Bill 1148, which would restrict the sale of hemp-derived products containing tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCp) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa).
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee has advanced HB 1148 with a 7 to 2 vote, recommending its passage with amendments and referring it to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration. The bill, sponsored by Representative Ed Butler and 25 Republican cosponsors, aims to strengthen oversight of hemp-derived cannabinoids, particularly tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCp) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa).
If enacted, HB 1148 would redefine hemp regulations in Tennessee by requiring total THC content to be measured using decarboxylation, a process that converts THCa into its active THC form. This adjustment is designed to prevent manufacturers from exploiting legal loopholes that allow high-THCa hemp products to be sold under the state’s existing hemp laws. Additionally, the bill explicitly authorizes law enforcement to seize and forfeit any product containing THCp or THCa that exceeds the state’s legal THC threshold.
The legislation also grants the state broader authority to test and monitor hemp-derived cannabinoid products, mandating that all testing adhere to standardized protocols. By requiring post-decarboxylation testing, the bill is designed to ensure accurate potency measurements and prevent the unregulated sale of high-potency THC alternatives. Supporters argue that these measures are necessary to curb the sale of intoxicating hemp products that currently operate in a legal gray area, while opponents have raised concerns about potential restrictions on the state’s hemp industry, which has grown into a multimillion dollar industry in the state.
For the full text of the bill, click here.
