Kentucky Company Sues State of Tennessee Over Hemp Product Restrictions

Cornbread Hemp, a Kentucky-based company, has filed a lawsuit against the
state of Tennessee over its law to restrict intoxicating hemp products, WLKY
reports.

Tennessee lawmakers passed HB 1376 in April, which bans hemp THC products
like pre-rolls and vaporizers, but carves out a market for THC-infused
edibles and beverages under a three-tiered system similar to the state’s
alcohol regulations. The new restrictions are set to take effect in 2026.

The lawsuit argues, however, that a provision requiring hemp products to be
routed through Tennessee-based distributors amounts to illegal
discrimination against out-of-state businesses. The plaintiffs said that
under the rule changes, the company would be forced to either partner with
an in-state wholesaler, establish an in-state location, or stop serving the
market entirely.

“It’s frustrating that it’s come to this. We wish we could have resolved
this issue in the legislation. We can’t leave behind our 11,000 customers
who are looking for other products that we sell.” — Jim Higdon, Cornbread
Hemp co-founder, via WLKY

Chris Barnewolt, an attorney for Pacific Legal Foundation, which helped
Cornbread Hemp to bring the lawsuit pro bono, said it’s a matter of
interstate commerce.

“The American Constitution protects interstate commerce against state
overreach,” Barnewolt said in the report. “We’re standing up for the right
of American consumers to receive products across state lines.”