HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — The hemp industry could soon take a hit with potential changes being made to Tennessee law.

Starting in January, the organically grown hemp flower may be unavailable to Tennessee residents.

That’s despite organic hemp being responsible for bringing in millions of dollars to Chattanooga’s economy.

Joshua Manning is the CEO and founder of Snap Dragon Hemp. He says…

“Once North Carolina picks up, South Carolina picks up, Georgia picks up, Alabama picks up, all that money will leave the state and go to these other places.”

According to Manning, this new law will leave Tennessee’s hemp high and dry.

He says in just the first half of 2024 alone, the organic hemp industry has generated more than $50 million in the state.

Leaving many retailers with no option but to take their business elsewhere.

“I’ve talked to a lot of the growers in the state of Tennessee, and they’re just going to pull the retail from the state and ship online only,” Manning says.

According to Georgia state officials, the sale of hemp products will only be restricted, not banned.

While not happy with the restriction, some business owners in Georgia are happy for the new clientele they’ll soon be getting.

Joseph King owns a hemp business in Georgia. He says…

“It will boost our sales.”

As of right now, Georgia businesses can still contain 0.3% THC in their hemp products.

Manning says it helps boost the Georgia economy, it’s all about what’s the healthiest options for his customers.

“When you start with that product that is the most natural, it’s the safest method for anybody to consume. So when we’re talking about the health and safety of the citizens of the state, the way that it is right now is the safest.”

The Tennessee General Assembly will hold a vote on these changes on November 20th. If it passes, the change will take effect in January 2025.

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