Tennessee Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Key Facts

Recreational Sales: Prohibited statewide
Medical Dispensaries: None authorized
Hemp Products: Separate Title 43 program
Local Authority: Cannot authorize sales

Full Breakdown

Tenn. Code Ann. Section 39-17-417 criminalizes the sale and delivery of marijuana, and Tennessee has not enacted a regulated dispensary licensing program. The limited medical cannabis oil framework in Tenn. Code 39-17-402 permits only low-THC products dispensed through narrow channels, not retail dispensaries. Municipal zoning cannot authorize dispensary operations because the underlying activity remains a state and federal crime. Hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC fall under the Tennessee Department of Agriculture hemp program (Tenn. Code Title 43, Chapter 27) and are regulated separately.

Violations & Penalties

Operating an unlicensed marijuana dispensary constitutes felony manufacture and sale, exposing operators to multi-year prison sentences and asset forfeiture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Tennessee city license a marijuana dispensary?

No, marijuana sales remain a felony under state law, and municipal zoning cannot authorize a use that violates state criminal statutes governing controlled substances.

Are CBD or hemp shops legal in Tennessee?

Yes, hemp-derived products with less than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC are regulated under Tennessee's hemp program in Title 43, Chapter 27, and may be sold through licensed retailers.

Tennessee Marijuana Dispensary Prohibition Statewide

Key Facts

Full Breakdown

Violations & Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

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