Tennessee recently approved the use of low-THC cannabis oil for medical marijuana patients with qualifying conditions. Although cannabis products are not yet available for purchase in the Volunteer State, we’re expecting to see more infrastructure for the program coming soon.
Fortunately, cannabis oil has already been used in states with medical marijuana programs, and the products that can be made from low-THC oil ranging from tinctures to edibles.
In this Tennessee Marijuana Card Guide, we’ll cover some of the products that might become available in Tennessee, and how they are typically dosed!
Tennessee’s Low-THC Cannabis Oil Law
Tennessee passed the medical marijuana law in 2021, and it can take states a lot of time to get everything together and ready for patients to purchase their medicine at dispensaries.
Tennessee allows for up to 0.9% THC in cannabis oil, without any mention of other product types or compounds, this limited approach can often be difficult for cultivators and processors to figure out what products are legal once they are able to produce them.
This leads to a bit of difficulty in trying to determine what products will become available once they are allowed to produce them, in some cases legislators even defer to the cultivators to figure out what kind of laws they are or aren’t breaking.
Unfortunately, it’s this kind of back and forth between inefficient legislative language and cultivators that causes some of the larger delays in the MMJ process.
Figuring out what is what, and what’s legal when bills are written by legislators with little or no knowledge of cannabis, botany, medical science, or cannabis production, ultimately leaves a lot of business owners frustrated, with insufficient legal advice, and it leaves patients empty handed, who pay the real price for legislative ignorance.
Cannabis Products Available in Tennessee
Although the full rollout of the Tennessee medical marijuana program is set to take its time, we do have a few examples from other states that produce cannabis oil products.
Often “low-THC” is not a requirement for cannabis oil in other states, and as such there is a lot more versatility in how cannabis oil is produced.
In truth, cannabis oil is often the base ingredient for most product types excluding cannabis flower. Hash, tinctures, edibles, lotions, they all use cannabis oil as a base for the product.
The only major difference that Tennessee has invited for itself is limiting the total THC content of the cannabis oil to less than 0.9%.
This certainly restricts the psychoactive benefits of cannabis, but it doesn’t limit any other cannabinoids or compounds that can be extracted from the plant.
That means that all of the products that could be produced from regular cannabis oil will likely still be able to be produced from low-THC cannabis oil, which is good news for those wondering if they’ll be able to get by in a low-THC state.
But because the low-THC limitation is there, often products that fall into this category come in a handful of product types, so let’s look at what products you might find at a Tennessee dispensary when they open!
Tennessee Low-THC Cannabis Products
#3. Topicals
Topicals are one of the most common ways that low-THC cannabis oil is used. Topicals aim to treat a variety of ailments and come with some significant benefits for those with chronic conditions.
They can be applied whenever, wherever, and you can typically apply as much as you need, there aren’t any suggested dosage limits.
They are used to treat everything from inflammation, localized pain, even skin conditions like psoriasis and acne, and when applying topically, cannabis has no psychoactive properties, so you can use your medication without having to avoid any activities that might be problematic with psychoactive effects.
#2. Tinctures
Tinctures are typically alcohol-based mixtures containing extracted cannabis oil. Although they aren’t alcoholic beverages, there is a lot of versatility in using tinctures.
You can add droplets to your drinks, food, or take the liquid by itself. Often only a few drops are necessary for a dosage, and you can add your cannabis oil to almost any dish or concoction without affecting the taste.
Effects can begin as quickly as 15 minutes for many, offering a quicker onset than edibles.
For a smooth introductory dosage, try taking 1 – 2 droplets with food and wait at least 1 – 1.5 hours before taking another dosage.
#1. Edibles
Edibles are the most common way that cannabis oil is processed.
Although we’re not sure whether edibles will be available in Tennessee, raw or pure low-THC oil is frequently used as an ingredient in many different foods for edibles.
Edibles have unique dosage requirements and they have the most strict dosage suggestions due to their potency – even low-THC edibles can become incredibly potent once they are digested.
Because THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-metabolite when you eat it, the potency of psychoactive effects is much higher than it is with other consumption methods.
This might be the saving grace for those looking for similar psychoactive effects from more traditional cannabis consumption methods, edibles can take a small amount of THC and make it feel much more potent.
You should always start with the lowest dosage possible and wait a reasonably long time before taking another.
Edibles tend to come on much slower and much stronger than other consumption methods, often effects don’t even begin for an hour or more, and they can peak relatively late, and stick around for several more hours.
For a smooth introductory dosage of edibles, take the smallest dosage available (think a quarter of a single piece of a gummy), and wait at least 1.5 – 2 hours minimum before considering another dosage.
It’s really anyone’s best guess as to what kind of products will become available in the future of the Tennessee medical marijuana program.
But based on how other states have handled and used cannabis oil, and especially the states with low-THC cannabis oil, it’s probably fairly safe to assume they will belong in one of the categories listed above.
While we are waiting for more infrastructure, cultivator applications, and dispensary applications, the state is slowly moving forward in getting qualifying patients access to medical marijuana.
We’re looking forward to a comprehensive rollout from the state, and there’s no better time than now to get your medical marijuana card in Tennessee. You can even get $25 off when we start processing applications!
Medical Cannabis in Tennessee
Tennessee cannabis patients will soon be able to legally purchase low-THC oil and see the relief they need organically.
Reserve your appointment today and get $25 off when we start processing applications!
Being a Tennessee cannabis patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you.
We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way, feel free to give us a call at (833) 781-5611 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical cannabis card in Tennessee.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Tennessee Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 781-5611, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Tennessee Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information!