Buying CBD in Tennessee is perfectly legal — you can even buy it on the internet. There are quite a few different aspects of Tennessee CBD law and commerce that might have caught your interest, though, from the legality of shipping CBD to Tennessee to whether you can only buy CBD at medical marijuana dispensaries.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert on what it takes to enjoy CBD safely and legally in the Volunteer State. Along the way, you’ll learn how to choose the best CBD products for your unique needs as a Tennessee resident.
First, It’s Important to Understand: What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second-most abundant cannabinoid in Cannabis sativa. Unlike THC, CBD does not have intoxicating effects. The same relaxation associated with cannabis is there, but with any psychoactivity turned down so low it’s hardly apparent at all.
CBD and THC are treated differently for regulatory and legal purposes. THC remains a Schedule I drug federally, for instance, while CBD and most other cannabinoids are now viewed as industrial hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill.
So, CBD is legal, and it doesn’t get you high. CBD products are sold online, and most brands (including Colorado Botanicals) ship to all 50 states.
What’s the Difference Between CBD and THC?
CBD and THC are chemically different and don’t bond to the same receptor sites in the brain and body. THC, for instance, primarily affects your CB1 and CB2 receptors, releasing endorphins and causing intoxication. CBD, however, acts most strongly on the 5HT and TRP neuroreceptor families, which are involved in pain, mood, and inflammation.
THC and CBD break down into entirely separate substances in the body, so they can’t be mistaken in urinalysis or any other form of tissue sample testing. Despite coming from the same plant, CBD and THC couldn’t be less alike in how they’re regulated and how they affect the human body.
- THC is illegal, CBD is not
- THC gets you high, CBD does not
- CBD and THC are chemically different
- They’re both natural, though, and come from the cannabis plant
Is CBD Oil Legal In Tennessee?
Yes, CBD oil is legal in Tennessee. The 2018 Farm Bill made CBD federally legal, and Tennessee’s government has echoed this position with its own laws, most recently in 2023. Tennessee embraces CBD so much, in fact, that it has imposed a 6% tax on CBD sales made within the state. That benefits the state, though, not its residents.
Still, states generally don’t tax something they view as illegal. Even if Tennessee’s new CBD tax pushes its residents to shop online, the state has proved it doesn’t have anything against CBD or the people who use it.
- CBD is legal in the United States due to the 2018 Farm Bill
- Tennessee has not passed any laws conflicting with federal law
- In fact, the state just passed a new law embracing hemp-derived cannabinoid products even further
- Tennessee’s stance on CBD might make in-state purchases more expensive
How to Legally Buy CBD in Tennessee
There are quite a few ways to get your hands on CBD products within the borders of Tennessee:
CBD Stores
In every state where CBD is not outright banned, CBD specialty stores have cropped up to cater to the demand for the cannabinoid that the internet has driven up. As to be expected whenever brick-and-mortar tries to copy eCommerce, though, CBD stores offer reduced product selection, and less information is available on the products that are there.
Online Retailers
The internet was the first and remains the best place to buy CBD. Over the years, the online CBD industry has evolved splendidly, and Colorado Botanicals leads the pack. Our FDA-registered facilities are both ISO and GMP certified, providing Colorado Botanicals customers full confidence when ordering our natural and effective line of CBD oils, CBD creams, CBD gummies, and more.
Licensed Cannabis Dispensaries
Cannabis dispensaries are where people traditionally bought cannabis plants and products, so it’s natural to consider this option when determining where to buy CBD in Tennessee. However, the state of Tennessee only recently created a medical cannabis program, and the program remains small and only available to a very limited class of residents.
Supermarkets
Some traditional supermarket chains and independent grocers in Tennessee might sell CBD products. You can only expect to see abundant CBD products in supermarkets in states that are friendly toward cannabis, however. Any CBD you might come across in a Tennessee grocery store is likely to be low-quality and limited in variety.
Vitamin Stores
Vitamin shops and natural food stores may be more likely to carry CBD products than other kinds of Tennessee businesses. The types of shops that carry an abundant assortment of CBD products, however, are likely only to be found in major Tennessee cities like Nashville and Memphis.
Can You Buy CBD Online if You Live in Tennessee?
Yes, you are fully free to buy your CBD products online as a Tennessee resident. The United States Constitution makes it quite clear that commerce across state lines should not be hindered unless otherwise specified by law.
Since CBD is federally legal, you can certainly buy it online if you live in Tennessee. There is a far greater assortment of CBD products online than you’ll be able to find in any store — whether it’s located in Tennessee or anywhere else across the country.
Is There an Age Limit to Buy CBD in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee has established an age limit of 21 years for any CBD purchases made within state lines. This policy does not reflect federal law, however, and some online CBD retailers may impose different age limits. Federally, there is no age limit for CBD, so state regulators and CBD retailers simply determine their own codes of conduct.
Can You Travel with CBD to Tennessee on a Plane?
Yes, you can travel with CBD on a plane in the United States as long as its THC concentration is below 0.3%. Generally, the TSA has shifted away from drug enforcement toward safety and terrorism prevention, so traveling with cannabis and hemp products of all kinds is now common on domestic flights.
It’s important to note that Tennessee law is not relevant here but rather CBD policies in your departing location. Especially in the case of traveling to Tennessee internationally, be aware that other nations commonly do not view cannabis oils or even hemp derived fiber in as friendly a light as the United States.
Are CBD Gummies Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, CBD gummies are just as legal as any other type of CBD product sold in Tennessee. The state has not put any regulations in place specifically prohibiting CBD gummies as compared to any other product. Keep in mind, though, that purchases of CBD gummies made in Tennessee will be subject to the state’s new 6% cannabinoid tax.
Is CBD Flower Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, CBD flower is legal in Tennessee as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. The state has not made any moves to restrict the sale or possession of CBD flower within its borders, so residents are free to order CBD flower products online. You are very unlikely to find CBD flower products sold in stores in Tennessee, however, since the state remains relatively anti-cannabis.
Tennessee & CBD: A Perfect Match
Rolling, green hills and a long, rich history of whiskey brewing — that’s what Tennessee brings to mind, not the hustle and bustle of the state’s modern cities. Nothing’s better paired with a long evening on the porch than an ample dose of CBD. Whiskey bottle optional.
Like the rest of the American South, Tennessee hasn’t quite caught up to the rest of the country’s position on cannabis. There’s remarkably little in the way, though, between Tennessee residents and the best CBD products the internet has ever devised. All it takes is a quick trip to your favorite online CBD shop, and you’ll be set with all the gummies, CBD oils, or topicals that life might call for.
If you’re traveling or interested in learning if CBD is legal in Florida or CBD is legal in Texas, make sure to check our other blog posts on them, as we discuss each state’s laws.
