It’s been an ongoing battle between hemp companies and the state of Tennessee that has come to a temporary end.
A judge decided in-favor of hemp companies to temporarily restrict some rule changes – submitted by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture – aimed at changing the designation of THCA, the top selling hemp product in Tennessee.
“I’ve been through a lot of big days for our state in the hemp industry, but this was the most important date for hemp in Tennessee,” Clint Palmer, a representative with the Hemp Law Group said.
Palmer said his organization has been fighting these rule changes alongside hemp companies throughout the state.
He says the next court date is set for February 18th where a judge is expected to determine whether these temporary injunctions will become permanent.
“For me, it’s I want to see us win this for the people as well as the industry. But Tennessee is lagging behind. It’s been the one thing to give the people of Tennessee the opportunity to have access to cannabis that they very much so deserve,” Palmer said.
For Connor Murray and Gold Spectrum, one of the state’s largest hemp companies, the ruling which temporarily kept 70% of the company’s products on the shelves, is just the beginning.
“We’re happy to continue what we’re doing but the fight is not over. We’re hopeful of what’s to come and we’re confident in our position but like we are by no means celebrating to the finish line right now we are. We’re in the homestretch. We got a little bit of the pool position, but we need all the help we can get from everybody else,” Murray said.
News 5 reached out to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for a comment:
“We do not comment on pending litigation, however we respect the court’s decision and look forward to reaching a final resolution of these matters.”
Even if hemp companies get a permanent injunction on these rule changes in February, Palmer says there is a good chance the industry may have to fight against impending legislation during the 2025 Tennessee session.
News 5 will continue to follow this developing story.
It’s been an ongoing battle between hemp companies and the state of Tennessee that has come to a temporary end. Read More
