MARYVILLE, Tenn. — A change in Tennessee’s hemp laws is pushing one local entrepreneur to move part of his business across state lines.

Starting Jan. 1, businesses in Tennessee will be prohibited from selling popular THCA products, including vapes and pre-rolled joints. Lawmakers argue the substance has the same intoxicating effects as marijuana when smoked or vaped.

For Ryan Rush, whose business model thrives on selling THCA products, the change has forced him to adapt.

“This is what I chose my life to be and I'm not gonna run away from it,” Rush said.

When lawmakers decided to ban certain products — like the pre-rolled joints he sells — Rush said he saw an opportunity instead of a setback.

“The obstacle is the way," Rush said. "You either go around it, through it, under it, or over

See Full Page