Welcome to the latest edition of “Last week in Weed,” catching you up on the latest breaking news and industry developments in the world of cannabis.
Here’s what you may have missed over the last week:
Tennessee Targets Hemp in Sweeping New Law
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed House Bill 1376, a controversial measure that redefines the state’s hemp industry and delivers a major blow to producers and sellers of THCA and synthetic cannabinoids. The legislation, which takes effect in 2026, bans online sales of hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs), prohibits retail sales outside age-restricted or ABC-licensed stores, and shifts regulatory oversight from the Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Critics, including the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and the Tennessee Growers Coalition, say the bill favors the liquor industry at the expense of farmers, wellness consumers, and small businesses, calling it a power grab under the guise of public health.
The bill’s most contentious element is its targeting of THCA—a nonintoxicating compound that converts to THC when heated. While federal law defines hemp as cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, it doesn’t explicitly address THCA in finished goods, creating a regulatory gray area that Tennessee lawmakers now seek to close. Legal experts and industry advocates argue this move undercuts federal hemp protections and reclassifies legal products as controlled substances.
Lawmakers like Sen. Kerry Roberts and Sen. Page Walley voiced concern about changing rules midstream, noting the harm to farmers who complied with existing laws. As Tennessee forges its own path, the legislation marks another flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over cannabinoid regulation, state sovereignty, and the future of hemp-derived products.
Cannabis Reform Stalls Under Trump White House
Despite Donald Trump previously endorsing the rescheduling of cannabis, his new administration has made no moves to follow through. Instead, the White House’s latest drug policy blueprint omits marijuana entirely, and Trump has nominated a critic of legalization to head the DEA—signaling a sharp shift away from reform.
Under Biden, federal health officials recommended moving cannabis to Schedule III, a change that would ease restrictions on research and taxes. But resistance from the DEA stalled the process, and with no current action from the Trump administration, advocates now say the push to reclassify marijuana is effectively dead—at least for now.
Texas Sends Delta-8 Ban to Governor’s Desk
The Texas Legislature has passed Senate Bill 3, a sweeping measure that would ban all intoxicating hemp products, including popular compounds like delta-8 and delta-10 THC. After the Senate concurred with House amendments on May 25, the bill was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for final approval. Backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and championed in the House by Rep. Tom Oliverson, the bill imposes felony penalties for manufacturing or selling products with intoxicating cannabinoids—effectively ending a multibillion-dollar industry that’s flourished since hemp was legalized in 2019.
While supporters claim the law closes dangerous loopholes, critics argue it’s a regressive move that punishes consumers and veterans who rely on hemp-derived THC for relief. Lawmakers clashed over whether the bill protects public health or simply revives outdated prohibition tactics. Industry leaders like Hometown Hero’s Lukas Gilkey say they’re preparing a legal challenge, warning that the ban will drive consumers to the illicit market and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs. With Gov. Abbott expected to sign the bill, the future of legal hemp-derived THC in Texas hangs by a thread.
Last Prisoner Project Honored at CannaPortugal for Cannabis Justice Work
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) was recognized for its global advocacy at CannaPortugal 2025, Portugal’s largest international cannabis expo, held May 16–17 in Lisbon. Managing Director Mary Bailey delivered a keynote highlighting the human toll of cannabis prohibition and accepted a Global Cannabis Award on behalf of LPP for its work to free those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.
The award was presented by legendary activist Mila Jansen, known as “The Hash Queen,” in a ceremony that celebrated pioneers in justice and reform.
Bailey also joined an international panel exploring cannabis’s impact on justice, education, and media, reinforcing the event’s focus on social equity and policy change. CannaPortugal 2025 brought together stakeholders from across the globe for panels, workshops, and cultural programming spanning cannabis science, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and human rights. From AI marketing seminars to curated cannabis dinners and a fashion show, the expo reflected the plant’s growing role not just in commerce, but in global social change.
