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HB1503 • 2026

Agriculture

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3; Title 39; Title 43, Chapter 27; Title 53; Title 57, Chapter 7 and Title 67, Chapter 6, relative to hemp.

Agriculture
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Lamberth, Briggs
Last action
2026-03-30
Official status
Comp. SB subst.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary text does not provide specific details about the duration for which webpages or QR codes must remain active.

Hemp Product Labeling and Licensing Act

This bill changes labeling requirements for hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) in Tennessee by adding batch numbers to labels and allowing suppliers to use a single webpage or QR code for multiple products, provided specific batch details are easily accessible within three clicks.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the requirement for HDCP labels to include a batch number along with a QR code linking to product information.
  • Allows suppliers to use one webpage or QR code for multiple HDCP products, as long as specific batch details are easily accessible within three navigational steps from the initial webpage.
  • Requires warning statements on HDCP labels to be in at least six-point font size.
  • Removes the requirement that HDCP beverage containers must be resealable for multi-day use.
  • Prohibits the Department of Agriculture from issuing or renewing HDCP supplier and retail licenses after this law takes effect.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Suppliers who sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products in Tennessee
  • Retailers selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products to consumers

Terms To Know

Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Product (HDCP)
A product made from the cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC and is used for various purposes.
QR Code
A type of barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone to access information online.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how long the webpage or QR code must remain active after products are no longer sold.
  • It is unclear what happens if suppliers do not comply with the new labeling requirements.
  • The exact impact on consumers and retailers regarding resealable containers for HDCP beverages is uncertain.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB1503

Plain English: The amendment changes definitions related to hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) in Tennessee's laws and modifies requirements for suppliers and product labeling.

  • Removes references to 'entity' from several sections of the law, focusing on supplier definitions and licensing.
  • Updates the definition of a 'supplier' to include specific conditions about selling HDCPs and manufacturing or contracting for their production.
  • Modifies warning label requirements for HDCP products, including font size and content details.
  • Specifies packaging requirements for HDCP beverage containers.
  • The amendment text does not provide full context on how these changes will affect existing regulations or enforcement practices.
Amendment 1-0 to SB1761

Plain English: The amendment changes definitions related to hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) in Tennessee's laws and modifies requirements for suppliers and product labeling.

  • Removes references to 'entity' from various sections of the law, focusing on supplier definitions and licensing.
  • Updates the definition of a 'supplier' to include specific conditions about selling HDCPs and manufacturing or contracting for their production.
  • Modifies warning label requirements for HDCP products, including font size and content details.
  • Restricts the types of containers that can be used for HDCP beverages.
  • The amendment text does not provide specific dates or conditions under which these changes will take effect beyond stating it takes effect upon becoming law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Transmitted to Governor for action.

  2. 2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by H. Speaker

  3. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Senate Speaker

  4. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Enrolled and ready for signatures

  5. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Comp. SB subst.

  6. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed H., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 2

  7. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0659)

  8. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Subst. for comp. HB.

  9. 2026-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026

  10. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026

  11. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

  12. 2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

  13. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026

  14. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026

  15. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  16. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

  17. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0696)

  18. 2026-03-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/16/2026

  19. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/18/2026

  20. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Judiciary Committee

  21. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

  22. 2026-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/11/2026

  23. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/11/2026

  24. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Commerce Committee

  25. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee to 3/11/2026

  26. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/4/2026

  27. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

  28. 2026-02-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities Subcommittee

  29. 2026-02-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Commerce Committee - Judiciary Committee

  30. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee

  31. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  32. 2026-01-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  33. 2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  34. 2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  35. 2026-01-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

ON
MARCH 16, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1761, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, authorize a hemp-derived cannabinoid product (HDCP) that is sold at retail to be labeled with a batch number, in addition to the quick response (QR) code linking to a website providing the date the product was
received, the date of testing completion, and method of analysis for the testing that is required by present law.

This amendment authorizes such QR code to link to a webpage that includes certificates of analysis for multiple products or batch numbers of the supplier, and clarifies that a separate website or QR code is not required for each individual product or bat
ch number. However, the certificate of analysis for the specific batch must be accessible with no more than three navigational steps from the initial webpage and the webpage must be maintained with current and accurate information for all products. If a
n
individual landing page contains more than 150 clickable links or options, then the webpage must have a search function where the batch number may be entered. The required information for each product and batch must remain publicly accessible for 12 mont
hs after the product batch is no longer offered or 90 days after the product's stated expiration date, whichever is longer.

SUPPLIERS

Present law requires a person that is in the business of manufacturing, distributing, or selling HDCPs in this state, including suppliers, to obtain a license from the alcoholic beverage commission ("commission"). In order to maintain a supplier license
, a person must (i) submit required information to the commission, as promulgated by rule; (ii) pay a $2,500 initial licensing fee and an additional annual license fee; (iii) consent to reasonable inspection by the commission and department of revenue; (i
v)
submit to a criminal history background check; and (v) remain in compliance with applicable governing laws, rules, and regulations of the jurisdiction where the supplier is located. Such a supplier license is valid for one year and must be renewed annua
lly. Present law defines supplier as a person or entity that (i) sells HDCPs to licensed wholesalers for repackaging and resale, but not for consumption; (ii) manufactures hemp-derived cannabinoids or HDCPs; or (iii) contracts for the manufacture of hemp
-d
erived cannabinoids or HDCPs, and that sells finished, packaged HDCPs to wholesalers.

This amendment, instead, defines a supplier as a person that (i) is located either inside or outside of this state and that sells HDCPs to licensed wholesalers or suppliers for repackaging or for resale, but not for consumption; (ii) manufactures hemp-de
rived cannabinoids or HDCPs in this state; or (iii) contracts
for the manufacture of hemp-derived cannabinoids or HDCPs, whether located inside or outside of this state, and that sells finished, packaged HDCPs to
licensed
wholesalers or to suppliers

for res
ale and not for consumption
.

WARNING STATEMENTS

Present law requires a HDCP sold at retail to be labeled with a conspicuous warning statement having a minimum font size of eleven-point font concerning the risk of impairment from consumption of the product, keeping the product out of reach of children,
and other warning information required by the commission. This amendment requires the warnings to be in a minimum of six-point font.

REQUIREMENT TO BE RESEALABLE REMOVED

Present law generally requires HDCP beverage products to utilize a traditional pull-tab, an aluminum can device currently approved for soft drinks and malt beverages, or a screw-top or cork-style cap used for containers of wine and other alcoholic bevera
ges products. However, if a HDCP beverage product is in a container with a volume equal to or less than 750 milliliters and contains more than one serving, the product is required to be resealable in a manner to support multi-day use. This amendment eli
mi
nates the requirement that products be resealable for multi-day use.

LICENSURE ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL

Present law
requires the department of agriculture to continue to process and renew HDCP supplier and retail applications and licenses until the commission has the capacity to process applications for licensure. All such licenses issued by the department must be val
id for at least 12 months. This amendment prohibits the department from issuing or renewing HDCP supplier and retail licenses after this amendment becomes a law.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SENATE BILL 1761
By Briggs

HOUSE BILL 1503
By Lamberth
HB1503
010675
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1,
Chapter 3; Title 39; Title 43, Chapter 27; Title 53;
Title 57, Chapter 7 and Title 67, Chapter 6, relative
to hemp.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 43-27-102(c), is amended by
deleting "five (5) years" and substituting "ten (10) years".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.