Proposed Bill May Tighten Regulations on Hemp

Various hemp products being tested inside New Bloom Labs.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposed bill in the Tennessee General Assembly is aiming to regulate the sale of hemp products.

House Bill 403 aims to increase consumer protections and raise production standards of hemp across the state.

Hemp products were made legal by the 2018 Farm Bill at the federal level.

A local company who specializes in chemical analysis of hemp produced says that the standards proposed in this bill are commonplace in many other states.

John Karns, the CEO of New Bloom Labs and the co-chair of the advocacy group Cultivate Tennessee says that,” (The goal of this bill is that) The sale of these products is limited to adults 21 and up. That these products aren’t marketed to children through cartoons and other things like that. Another basic safety is making sure that these products are kept behind the counter in a retail store and I think most importantly this bill makes sure that these products are tested for legal compliance and screened for harmful toxins.”

Some products that might be affected if this bill is passed include Delta 8 Gummies and Hemp Oils among others.

Currently this bill is just in the introductory phase.

If passed this legislative session, it might go into effect January 1st of next year.