Tennessee THC Overview

What Is THC?

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, the chief psychoactive chemical compound in the cannabis plant. It is the component of cannabis, also known as cannabinoid, that is responsible for the high feeling when people consume marijuana. In the past, people accessed THC by smoking dried cannabis flowers. However, this cannabinoid (THC) has become available in recent years in tinctures, oils, capsules, and other forms. THC is psychoactive because they bond to cannabinoid-1 (CB-1) receptors in the brain.

THC is present in both cannabis and hemp, however, at varying concentrations. Weed contains more THC levels than hemp, with some cannabis products having over 30% THC content. In contrast, legal hemp in the United States, including Tennessee, may only contain 0.3% THC or less in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill, otherwise known as the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. THC alleviates certain medical conditions, including insomnia, glaucoma, poor appetite, and nausea. However, THC use also has some side effects, like memory loss, increased heart rate, and dry mouth.

Cannabis has different variations of THC, known as isomers of THC. These include:

Delta-9 THC - Commonly called THC, delta-9 THC is the most popular of the isomers of THC and the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. It binds with the cannabinoid receptors in the body to produce the euphoric feeling associated with marijuana
Delta-8 THC - Delta-8 THC is not as psychoactive as delta-9 THC. The marijuana plant only produces a small percentage of natural delta-8 THC. As a result, it is mostly produced synthetically from hemp by converting CBD with strong acids known as T-41 or C-bleach
Delta-10 THC - Delta-10 THC does not occur naturally in cannabis and is produced exclusively by synthesis from hemp-derived precursors. It causes a lighter, euphoric feeling that enhances focus, making it perfect for daytime
Exo-THC - Sometimes called delta-(9)11 THC, exo-THC can be created by treating delta-8 THC with gaseous hydrochloride in few highly technical steps

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Is THC Legal in Tennessee?

Hemp-derived THC, including delta-8 THC, is legal in Tennessee, but THC derived from marijuana is still illegal since cannabis is not legal yet in the state. The only exception is the use of low-THC/high-CBD oil under a limited low-THC program. Tennessee still bans the medical and recreational use of marijuana. While Tennessee residents can legally use high-CBD/low-THC oil, the state does not provide a regulatory framework and has no distribution network for people who need it. In line with the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, hemp-based THC products must not have more than 0.3% THC to be legal in Tennessee. Cannabis sativa containing more than 0.3% THC is considered illegal in Tennessee.

How Much THC is in Weed?

How much THC is in weed, otherwise known as THC potency, depends mainly on the weed strain. THC potency can range from near 0% in hemp-based products to over 90% in marijuana concentrates. Generally, THC potency in weed has changed over time since the 1960s. The amount of THC in weed determines how it affects the body and the brain.

In the 1960s, the amount of THC in weed strains mainly hovered between 4% and 5%. However, it is common these days to see the mildest strains of weed have between 10% to 12% of THC, while moderate strains may have between 15% to 20% of THC concentration. As of 2022, the strongest strains of weed can contain over 25% THC content. The average weed today is about five times, and sometimes, more potent than the weed in the 1960s. As the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) analyzed, weed samples seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in 2021 contained an average THC concentration of 15.34%.

Although cannabis is still illegal in Tennessee, the following is a list of common weed flowers and strains and the amount (in percentage) of THC they carry:

MAC - 22%
Original glue - 20%
Kush mints - 27%
Bruce banner - 21%
Ice cream cake - 23%
Girl scout cookies - 19%
Strawberry banana - 21%
Cookies gelato - 28%

When purchasing THC products, it is common to find the amount of THCA displayed on the product labels. In its fresh form, weed contains tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA). THCA is the non-psychoactive version of THC that is only converted to THC through decarboxylation. The process involves heating weed to a high temperature to activate THC. Generally, the amount of THCA on a THC product label determines the product's THC level. THCA is the THC content when purchased, while THC represents the expected THC amount when the product is heated, usually by smoking.

While some THC compounds in weed are naturally occurring, others are synthetically developed. The major ones are:

Delta-9 THC
Delta-8 THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA)
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

Tennessee THC Laws 2024

Although medical marijuana and recreational cannabis are still illegal in Tennessee, the state permits patients suffering from seizures to use low-THC/high-CBD oil under a limited low-THC program. In 2021, Tennessee Legislature approved Senate Bill 118, which established the Tennessee Medical Commission in a bid to study medical cannabis. The bill expanded Tennessee's ineffective CBD law increasing the legal threshold of THC in low-THC/high-CBD oil to 0.9% and adding certain medical conditions to qualify for low-THC/high-CBD oil.

Tennessee's low THC law protects patients from prosecution for using low-THC/high-CBD oil. However, the state does not have a regulatory structure for its low-THC program or provide legal access. Qualifying patients may only purchase it from licensed dispensaries in states that make provisions for reciprocity in their medical marijuana programs. Besides low-THC oil, SB 357 permits Tennessee residents to use all hemp-derived THC products, provided the THC content does not exceed 0.3% in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill. Such hemp-based products, including delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, and CBD, can be bought in local stores and online in Tennessee.

What is the Legal Limit for THC While Driving in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, qualifying patients may only use low-THC/high-CBD oil with 0.9% THC concentration or less. Similarly, the legal threshold for THC in hemp-derived THC products is 0.3%. Anything beyond these thresholds is considered marijuana, which is still illegal in Tennessee.

It is illegal to drive under the influence (DUI) of any amount of marijuana or THC in Tennessee, especially considering that cannabis is still illegal. Anyone caught driving under the influence of marijuana in the state can be charged with drugged driving or a DUI. Law enforcement only needs to prove that the driver is impaired and detect the presence of THC metabolites in their bloodstream to begin a trial. Driving under the influence of even the smallest amount of cannabis in Tennessee is punishable by a jail sentence among other penalties.

Will THC Show Up on a Drug Test?

The possibility of THC showing up on a blood test in Tennessee mainly depends on how long it stays in the body before the test. Generally, THC can remain in the body for many days or weeks. How long it continues to show up on a drug test depends on the following factors:

The sensitivity of the drug test conducted
The level of body fat a person has
The frequency of smoking or ingesting weed
The amount of weed consumed per time
Method of consumption
Sex - Men often metabolize faster than women

How Long Does THC Stay in the Body?

Unlike alcohol which disappears completely from the body in a few hours after consuming it, THC can remain in the body for several hours or weeks after inhaling or ingesting weed. This is because it takes longer for the body to eliminate THC and the length of time primarily depends on how a person consumes weed. If ingested orally, the THC in weed takes longer to be absorbed into the blood, unlike smoking. THC in marijuana enters the bloodstream more quickly if smoked. The liver is responsible for metabolizing or eliminating THC and its metabolites in the body. Over 65% is excreted in the feces, while about 20% passes out in the urine.

In Tennessee, THC can remain detectable in a person's blood for up to 12 hours after the last consumption. A saliva test can detect THC in a person's system for up to 24 hours after ingesting or smoking weed. THC can remain detectable in urine for up to 30 days, while a drug test using a person's hair can catch THC for up to 90 days after the last consumption.

What Is THC Oil?

THC oil is one of the popular extracts of the cannabis plant. While THC oil is extracted from marijuana and can get consumers high, CBD oil is derived from hemp and will not intoxicate users. In Tennessee, except for low-THC/high-CBD oil (with 0.9% THC max), cannabis-based THC oil is illegal, but residents can freely consume hemp-derived THC oil so long the THC concentration does not exceed 0.3%.

THC oil is made by decarboxylating the plant material (usually dried cannabis flower) and extracting the resins with a solvent like ethanol, butane, olive oil, or carbon dioxide. Once ready, THC oil is safe to ingest. It is usually mixed with a carrier oil for cooking and making capsules for medicinal uses. It is also applied topically on joints and sore muscles.

What Is THC Distillate?

THC distillate is a purified form of THC extracted from weed using distillation. It is different from THC oil because distillation helps eliminate the cannabis plant terpenes and lipids. During distillation, each cannabinoid in the cannabis plant vaporizes at varying temperatures, making it possible to capture solely one cannabinoid, a pure THC devoid of lipids and terpenes. Unlike CBD distillate, THC distillate is highly potent and causes intense intoxication. Although it is safe to ingest, anyone consuming THC distillate must be cautious as they will experience a more intense high, even with a small amount of THC distillate. Consumers can vape THC distillate or eat it as edibles.

Where to Buy THC in Tennessee

Tennessee residents can buy delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC products with no more than 0.3% THC contents from retail shops throughout the state or order them online. These products are available as edibles, gummies, tinctures, and vape carts. Marijuana-derived THC is still illegal in the state. However, Tennessee's low THC law allows qualifying patients to purchase low-THC/high-CBD oils with no more than 0.9% THC concentration from states with medical marijuana programs and bring them to Tennessee for their medical use.