Categories: Breaking NewsGovernment NewsNewsPolitics

Tennessee Hemp Advocates Sue Agriculture Department

Tennessee hemp advocates take legal action against the Agriculture Department.

News Summary

Tennessee’s hemp industry faces turmoil as advocates, led by the Tennessee Growers Coalition, file a lawsuit against the state’s Agriculture Department. They allege the department enacted emergency rules without justification, risking the industry’s growth and compliance with federal regulations. As legal proceedings unfold, the future of hemp regulations and the viability of local businesses hangs in the balance.

Tennessee Hemp Advocates Take Legal Action Against Agriculture Department

In a significant turn of events for Tennessee’s hemp industry, advocates have stepped forward with a lawsuit against the state’s Agriculture Department. This legal action, unfolding in Davidson County Chancery Court, has raised eyebrows and sparked debate about the regulations governing an industry that’s still finding its feet.

The Root of the Lawsuit

Leading the charge are the Tennessee Growers Coalition alongside two hemp companies, who argue that the Agriculture Department overstepped its bounds. They allege that the Department rushed into enacting emergency rules for the hemp industry without a genuine emergency prompting such action. These controversial rules were rolled out in late June 2024, just days before a crucial legislative deadline that required the state to finalize its hemp regulations, as mandated by a law enacted in 2023.

The timing has certainly raised suspicions, with Kelley Hess, the Director of the Growers Coalition, expressing her disbelief about the justification for the emergency measures. The group asserts that Tennessee law clearly states these emergency rules cannot stem from an agency’s failure to adhere to established rule-making protocols—a claim they are taking to court.

Insights from the Agriculture Department

While representatives from the Agriculture Department have chosen to remain tight-lipped on the ongoing litigation, they have acknowledged receiving an astonishing 19,000 public comments regarding the hemp program’s development. Officials have indicated these comments are under review as they prepare to finalize permanent regulations by the time the emergency rules are set to expire on December 25, 2024.

What’s at Stake?

The backdrop for this legal battle is rooted in a legislative shift that took place in 2023, which was aimed at bringing Tennessee’s hemp industry in line with federal guidelines outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill. This set of regulations introduces important stipulations regarding packaging, retailing, and licensing—though most of these new rules won’t take effect until October 2024.

However, some industry insiders have expressed serious concerns about the implications of these regulations, particularly new testing standards that could jeopardize the viability of hemp flower products by including THCa in the testing criteria. Advocates argue that the measure could effectively be a backdoor ban on beloved hemp products that are currently a staple in the market.

The Ripple Effect

Among those worried about the potential fallout is Alex Valley, the president of Gold Spectrum CBD, who has hinted that unfavorable changes in regulation might force his company to look for opportunities outside of Tennessee, possibly relocating to Asheville, NC. Such an exit could be a significant blow to Tennessee’s burgeoning hemp sector, which has become a source of pride and economic growth for the region.

Adding another layer of complexity, reports have surfaced about the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation pushing for stricter regulations on THCa, aligning it more closely with delta-9 THC, which could further muddy the waters regarding enforcement and legality in the industry.

Ongoing Tensions

This lawsuit is just one indication of the ongoing strain between hemp advocates and state authorities as industries adjust to new regulations that could have lasting effects. With confusion rampant among industry players regarding enforcement timelines and contradicting information from various state agencies, the future of Tennessee’s hemp industry hangs in the balance.

The coming months promise to be critical as both sides prepare for the legal proceedings ahead, with many hopeful for an outcome that supports the growth and sustainability of this expanding market.