Tennessee Cannabis Laws 2026: Still Illegal, and the New Hemp Rules

Tennessee has no medical or recreational cannabis program. Lawmakers filed more than two dozen cannabis bills in 2026, including medical and decriminalization proposals, but none passed. The bigger change this year was to hemp.

Is weed legal in Tennessee?

No. Possessing, growing or selling cannabis is a crime, and Tennessee doesn't recognize medical cards from other states.

Penalties

• Half an ounce or less: a Class A misdemeanor, with up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine
• More than half an ounce: can be charged as a felony, with 1 to 6 years in prison
• Growing any number of plants: a felony

Hemp and THCA in Tennessee

Tennessee rewrote its hemp law (Public Chapter 526), and the Alcoholic Beverage Commission now regulates hemp products. Most of the changes started January 1, 2026, and the ban on THCA products, including THCA flower, took effect July 1, 2026. Synthetic cannabinoids and direct-to-consumer shipping are also banned. Some low-dose hemp delta-9 products are still sold under strict rules, and the federal hemp changes coming in late 2026 (below) will tighten things further.

CBD oil

A narrow law lets people with certain medical conditions possess low-THC CBD oil with a doctor's recommendation, but there's no way to buy it legally in Tennessee.

Driving and work

Driving under the influence of cannabis is a DUI. Employers can test for and ban cannabis use.

Is anything changing in 2026?

The THCA ban is the big change. Medical cannabis and decriminalization bills failed again. Tennessee doesn't have a citizen ballot initiative process.

Federal law in 2026

Federal law still treats recreational cannabis as illegal. In April 2026, the federal government moved marijuana sold under a state medical license (and FDA-approved cannabis medicines) to Schedule III, but adult-use cannabis is still Schedule I. That means it's still banned on federal land and can't legally cross state lines, even between two legal states.

Separately, a federal ban on intoxicating hemp products takes effect in two steps: synthetic and converted cannabinoids like delta-8 lose their legal status on November 12, 2026, and naturally derived hemp THC (THCA flower, hemp delta-9 edibles and drinks) on December 11, 2026.

Where to shop

There are no legal cannabis dispensaries in Tennessee. Browse smoke and vape shops in Tennessee in our directory. Listings under Tennessee dispensaries are hemp and CBD shops, which must follow the new state rules.

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the official sources below before you rely on any detail.