Is Delta-8 THC Legal in Tennessee?
Delta-8 THC Legal in Tennessee
delta8 tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is the primary ingredient in cannabis, and has recently drawn attention as a potential treatment for disease. This is the first evidence that this chemical can cross the blood-brain barrier to exert its medicinal benefits in humans, according to recent studies. The question is, “Is delta 8 THC legal in Tennessee?” It is a valid question, because the plant cannabis has been used for centuries both as a medical and recreational substance, both in the United States and abroad, and has both legal and illegal derivatives.
The primary factor determining the legality of any drug is state law, but this includes not only the Controlled Substances Act of the United States, but the more obscure marijuana laws of twenty-five different states. The Controlled Substances Act contains a list of Schedule I or Schedule II drugs, including all those whose use violates federal law, including cannabis. The state of Tennessee, like the United States federal government, considers any use of cannabis, even if the user does not suffer from a debilitating condition, as lawful. Consequently, anyone who grows, consumes, or sells cannabis, regardless of whether he or she meets with a medical condition, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is subject to state criminal penalties.
While it is true that the state of Tennessee has historically treated marijuana as an illegal substance, with the possession of less than one ounce being considered a misdemeanor, the state does not consider cannabis to be dangerous. Indeed, there is currently no medical use for the plant, and it is not known to contribute to the growth of cancer. But is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the component of cannabis that produces the “high,” somehow illegal? The short answer is no, but the long answer is more complicated.
Is Delta-8 THC Legal in Tennessee?
The fact is that the United States government, under the Controlled Substances Act, has long frowned upon the cultivation, sale, and possession of cannabis sativa or hemp, three of the components of cannabis. However, the Tennessee legislature has taken a step in the right direction by legalizing medical marijuana. In doing so, the state is allowing only a regulated, prescribed program to be implemented in the state. The Department of Health is still considering whether to allow the three primary components of cannabis to be sold over the counter, in what many hope will be an historic step towards legalized cannabis in the United States.
The legislation authorizing medical marijuana in Tennessee is considered relatively new compared to the other states which have legalized medical marijuana. However, the pharmaceutical industry is not necessarily opposed to the idea, and some of the nation’s top pharmaceutical companies have publicly voiced support for the legalization of delta-9-THC and CBD. These two compounds appear to be responsible for the health benefits associated with cannabis sativa, including the relief of some of the symptoms of debilitating medical conditions such as glaucoma, arthritis, and nausea. While the Delta-9 THC and CBD seem to act on the body more like the mind than the body, the plant itself is not psychoactive, and does not cause the same “high” experience as smoked marijuana.
Some argue that because CBD does not contain delta-9 THC, it is not an appropriate substitute for medical marijuana. This is particularly important because seizures are also some of the symptoms associated with patients who suffer from epilepsy. However, the use of CBD is not considered a gateway drug. Instead, it is believed to relieve the pain of debilitating medical conditions and to help people who are already undergoing treatment in the medical field to alleviate symptoms related to their illnesses. With this support, the Delta-9 THC and CBD may soon be legalized in Tennessee and across the country.