Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids Licensing

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Under Public Chapter 526, regulatory oversight of hemp-derived cannabinoid (HDC) products, including HDC licensure, transferred from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) on Jan. 1, 2026. In accordance with this transition, TDA is no longer processing or issuing new HDC licenses.

Persons seeking an HDC license should contact TABC at 615-741-1602 or TABC.Info@tn.gov for information on obtaining a license through that agency.

To ensure a smooth transition for the industry, TDA entered into an agreement concerning all current HDC licenses issued by TDA through Dec. 31, 2025. Under this agreement, the TDA issued licenses will remain valid and regulated under T.C.A. § 43-27-201, et seq., and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs., Chapters 0080-10-02 and 0080-10-03 until the TDA licenses expire on June 30, 2026

Monday, December 22, 2025

Due to statutory changes effective January 1, 2026, TDA will stop accepting license applications for the hemp-derived cannabinoid (HDC) program at 5 p.m. CST on Dec. 22, 2025. After this final date, all applications must instead be submitted to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 

To be eligible for issuance of an HDC Retailer or Supplier License from TDA, we must receive any and all required follow-up documentation and payment no later than 5 p.m. CST on Dec. 29, 2025. All HDC licenses issued by TDA between now and the end of the year will have an expiration date of June 30, 2026.

License Types

Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Supplier:  A supplier is a person or entity that manufactures hemp-derived cannabinoids or sells products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids to retailers. To manufacture means to compound, blend, extract, infuse, cook, or otherwise make or prepare products containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid, including the processes of extraction, infusion, packaging, repackaging, labeling, and relabeling of products containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid.

Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Retailer:  A retailer is a person or entity that sells products containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid for consumption and not for resale.

If you have additional questions, email hdc.inspection@tn.gov