The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information
Several marijuana and hemp-related laws officially took effect today, January 1, 2026. While some of the changes are minor, the measures reflect an ongoing shift toward tighter oversight of both state marijuana programs and the rapidly evolving hemp-derived product market. In Alabama, a comprehensive regulatory system for consumable hemp products is now in force. The law establishes statewide licensing, testing and labeling requirements for hemp-derived products intended for human consumption, sets THC limits per serving and per package, and mandates child-resistant packaging. Sales are now restricted to licensed, in-person retail locations only, with online sales, delivery services and vending machine sales prohibited. The law also imposes a new 10% excise tax at the retail level, fundamentally reshaping how hemp-derived products are sold in the state.
Also today, Tennessee implemented sweeping changes to its hemp-derived cannabinoid market. Oversight has shifted to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and retailers must be licensed and restrict sales to customers 21 and older. The law redefines total THC to include THCA and other cannabinoids, effectively banning most high-THCA products that exceed the statutory THC limit. Online and mail-order sales are prohibited, new licensing categories and compliance requirements are in place, and a restructured tax system on hemp-derived cannabinoid products also took effect…