The new year will bring a new set of laws to Tennessee come Jan. 1, 2026.
This follows the array of laws that took effect in the state on July 1, right after the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session.
THC and hemp in Tennessee:
- The Alcoholic Beverage Commission takes over as the regulator for hemp sales
- THCA clarified as hemp-derived cannabinoid
- THCP deemed not a hemp-derived cannabinoid
- Anything with a concentration of more than .3% on a dry weight basis of THCA will not be able to be sold
- “This amendment clarifies that the 0.3% is the limit for delta-9 THC content for hemp-derived cannabinoids.”
Implied Consent/Driving the Influence in Tennessee:
Gov. Lee signed a bill to change the state’s implied consent law.
- Refusing a requested blood test will trigger an implied consent charge
- License suspension for refusal increases to 1.5 years (for a misdemeanor DUI suspect with no related conviction in the last 10 years)
- Saliva tests are authorized and results are admissible
Buying junk food with SNAP benefits:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved waivers for 18 states, including Tennessee, to ban the use of SNAP benefits to buy certain sugary foods and drinks.
- Prohibits the purchase of items like soda, energy drinks, candy and prepared desserts with SNAP benefits
Savanna’s Law – Creates a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders:
The governor signed the bill to create a public registry for people convicted of domestic violence in Tennessee.
- The law requires a person convicted of, or who pleads guilty to, domestic assault to register, but only if the victim agrees to the defendant being required to register.
- If the victim does not give consent or is not available, the court will not require a person convicted of domestic assault to register under the law.
- However, if a court orders a defendant to register, then the court clerk must provide the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation with a copy of the qualifying conviction. This must be done within 60 days of the date of the conviction.
