HB1927/SB1904 Hearing Update

This week, industry representatives were at the center of a lengthy, favorable hearing in the House Criminal Justice committee. As a result of the committee hearing, stakeholders met to discuss proposed sensible industry regulations, and those proposals are propelling continued communication with the bill sponsor’s office.

Devin Aracena - Canvast Supply Co / John Kerns - New Bloom / Jesse West - TGC testifying at hearing.

Per Chairman Curcio’s announcement on the House floor, the Criminal Justice Committee will now meet at

11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, APRIL 13 in HHR I

The committee will meet to hear the attached calendars:

Here are extended updates on other cannabis-related bills here in Tennessee:

• HB666, relevant to veteran access to medical cannabis, is on notice in House Criminal Justice. It’s a perennial bill that is sponsored by a House Democrat. The Senate bill has not moved.

• HB2641 is House Health Chairman Bryan Terry’s medical cannabis bill. It failed in the Senate Judiciary after we wrapped up Wednesday evening.

• HB1747 would add quadriplegia as a qualifying medical condition for lawful possession of cannabis oil. It’s up in House Criminal Justice, and we could see it on the Senate floor next week.

Fiscal Memo Update

Status: The corrected fiscal memorandum is done.

Corrected Fiscal Memorandum on HB 1927 - SB 1904

As you will see on the Fiscal Memorandum above, they brought the numbers down, not up.

While this is not ideal - it is still a fiscal note that has to be funded. There are still 3 core committees they would have to pass it through.

The number that is most relevant here is the market which is valued at $180m. The key is that we show that $180m provides a lot of wages and jobs to Tennesseans. And, that is after only 3 years since the farm bill was passed in 2018 that allowed these products. There is further opportunity for growth that will continue to provide more and more opportunities. 

Devin Aracena will testify on Wednesday in front of the Tennessee House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee in a special hearing on cannabinoids. 

"We understand the concerns surrounding our industry and its adoption with common consumer demand. We are engaged in the conversation with shared concerns about consumer safety. We are providing input on intelligent regulations for our industry. When other industries pose a hurdle, our government regulates them, not bans them. We are grateful for the same opportunity in regulation with our leaders."

Learn more on how to support here: www.saveD8.com

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:
John Kerns
John@NewBloomLabs.com
(844) 837-8223

New Bloom Labs CEO John Kerns Set To
Testify In Special Hearing on Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids

Chattanooga, Tennessee, April 4, 2022 -

John Kerns, CEO of Chattanooga-based New Bloom Labs, will testify on Wednesday in front of the Tennessee House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee in a special hearing on hemp-derived cannabinoids.

“Some members are concerned about new products that contain hemp-derived cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC, and it's important that the industry demonstrates that it is serious about consumer safety and conducting business in an ethical way,” Kerns said.

Specifically, Kerns will speak about his company’s work in testing hemp-derived products. New Bloom Labs provides the chemical analysis of cannabis and cannabis-derived products for the purposes of legal compliance, quality control, and consumer safety. The company’s laboratories are ISO 17025 certified and registered with the United States D.E.A. 

Of particular concern is House Bill 1927, which would effectively prohibit the production, sale, and possession of hemp-derived cannabinoids in spite of federal law that sanctions this new industry.

“If it passes, House Bill 1927 would devastate our industry, and Tennessee would relinquish its standing as a worldwide leader in hemp production - that’s not to mention the thousands of businesses and jobs that would be eliminated practically immediately,” Kerns said. Rather than prohibition, Kerns says that legislation demanding consumer protections and ethical marketing practices is the right approach. “Measures like tamper-proof packaging, product testing requirements, and disallowing marketing techniques that appeal to minors are the right way to stabilize the industry and allow it to continue to meet the high consumer demand for these products,” Kerns said. 

The hemp industry has already proposed these regulations and is eager to dialogue with lawmakers on all issues that are critical to the future of hemp as well as Tennessee’s continued reputation as a small business-friendly state.

“New Bloom Labs does not support cannabis prohibition, but our supply chains must be effective and safe. The right path forward is to regulate hemp, not ban it,” Kerns said. 

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