TN Cannabis Official Sources

Tennessee cannabis-related state agencies, statutes, and regulatory programs are distributed across the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) — lead agency for hemp-derived cannabinoid products as of January 1, 2026 — the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) legacy hemp program through June 30, 2026, the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission (TMCC) study-only body, the Tennessee Department of Health, the Tennessee Department of Revenue, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Tennessee Department of Labor Drug-Free Workplace Program.

Legal Disclaimer: This information reflects Tennessee cannabis law as of June 2026 and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change — always verify current rules with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC, lead agency for hemp-derived cannabinoid products as of January 1, 2026 under Public Chapter 526 of 2025); Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA, legacy hemp licenses through June 30, 2026); Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission (TMCC, study-only); Tennessee Department of Health (CBD-oil framework administration) or a qualified attorney. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Last verified: May 2026

Tennessee State Agencies

Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)

Website: tn.gov/abc.
Phone: (615) 741-1602.
Email: TABC.Info@tn.gov.
Status: Lead agency for hemp-derived cannabinoid products as of January 1, 2026 per Public Chapter 526 (2025).
Cannabis-related responsibilities: licensing of hemp-derived cannabinoid product retailers; compliance enforcement; product testing oversight; collaboration with TDA during transition period through June 30, 2026.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)

Address: PO Box 40627, Nashville, TN 37204.
Phone: (615) 837-5137.
Email: industrial.hemp@tn.gov.
Status: legacy hemp program through June 30, 2026.
Cannabis-related responsibilities: industrial hemp cultivation/processing licensing under USDA-approved state plan; sample testing.

Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission (TMCC)

Address: Cordell Hull Building, 425 Rep. John Lewis Way North, Nashville, TN 37243.
Status: study-only body. No operational medical-cannabis program.
Cannabis-related responsibilities: research and policy recommendations to the General Assembly; would administer any future medical-cannabis program if enacted.

Tennessee Department of Health

Administers narrow CBD-oil-only registry for intractable epilepsy under prior legislation.

Tennessee Department of Revenue

Tax-stamp framework parallel to controlled-substance prosecution.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)

Statewide drug-task-force coordination; cannabis-trafficking investigations; civil-asset-forfeiture coordination.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Interdiction Plus Unit

I-40, I-65, I-75 interdiction operations; K-9 deployment; cannabis seizures.

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Drug-Free Workplace Program.
Phone: 615-532-4812.
Email: DFW.Program@tn.gov.

Statutory Framework

T.C.A. Title 39 Chapter 17 Part 4 — Drug Offenses

§ 39-17-415: classification of marijuana and cannabis-related offenses.
§ 39-17-417: simple possession.
§ 39-17-418: casual exchange.
§ 39-17-419: penalties.

T.C.A. Title 43 Chapter 27 — Industrial Hemp

Tennessee Hemp Industry Act framework.

T.C.A. Title 55 Chapter 10 — DUI

§ 55-10-401: DUI offense.
§ 55-10-406: implied consent.

Public Chapter 526 (2025)

Comprehensive overhaul transitioning hemp-derived cannabinoid regulatory authority from TDA to TABC effective January 1, 2026.

Federal Sources

21 U.S.C. § 841: federal manufacture, distribution, possession with intent.
21 U.S.C. § 844: federal simple possession.
2018 Farm Bill (P.L. 115-334): hemp definition.
April 28, 2026 DOJ Schedule III rescheduling: 91 Fed. Reg. 22714.
PL 119-37 § 781: federal hemp 0.4 mg/package cap effective November 12, 2026.

Federal Agencies

DEA Memphis + Atlanta Field Divisions oversee Tennessee.
U.S. Attorney’s Office: Eastern (Knoxville), Middle (Nashville), Western (Memphis) Districts of Tennessee.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: approves state hemp plans.

Federal Installations

Fort Campbell (Clarksville/Hopkinsville KY-TN border): 101st Airborne Division.
Naval Support Activity Mid-South: Millington, north of Memphis.
Holston Army Ammunition Plant: Kingsport.
Arnold Air Force Base: Tullahoma, near Manchester.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL): Oak Ridge, near Knoxville. DOE national laboratory.
FBI Memphis: federal field office.