By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
Among the new laws that take effect in the Volunteer State today is one that bans the use of intoxicating hemp products. You know what we are talking about, at least in theory, for surely you have seen stores leafing out across the state in the past few years, with names like Green Daisy, Green Ash, Hemp House and Clara Jane, the latter a take off on a slang term for marijuana, Mary Jane.
Those hemp products are a cannabis product, in the same family as weed, pot, ganja, herb, God’s plant, the Devil’s Lettuce, but have been legal and raking in tax money for the state.
Sam Stockard reports that even as hemp gummies and flower fall prey to Republican lawmakers, who passed the new law in 2025, two Democratic lawmakers are reviving a push to legalize the real thing and use proceeds to pay for fixing Tennessee’s roads.
In other news:
Across the state, advocates for the LGBTQ+ community responded to Tuesday’s ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that upholds a ban on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. A statement from the Metro Nashville LGBTQ+ Caucus, chaired by Councilmember-at-Large Olivia Hill, the only trans elected official in the state, said, “The decision by the United States Supreme Court will be celebrated by some and deeply mourned by others. Regardless of where someone stands politically, we cannot ignore the very real impact these decisions.”
That’s one take. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District responded to another SCOTUS ruling, this one affirming birthright citizenship, by introducing a measure labeled the “Anchors Aweigh Act.” "Not only is birthright citizenship clearly not in the U.S. Constitution, but this broken system has allowed foreign nationals to take advantage of our country, our benefits, and our generosity,” said Ogles in a press release. “I refuse to let these anchor babies colonize our country.” Ogles is apparently now a constitutional scholar in addition to being an economist and top-notch law enforcement officer.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
Delta-8 cannabis products, including gummy edibles, on display at Nashville’s Perfect Plant. A law taking effect July 1, bans the sale of most intoxicating hemp product. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
As Tennessee’s new ban on popular hemp products takes effect Wednesday, two Democratic lawmakers are reigniting a drive to legalize marijuana and use the proceeds to patch craters in highways across the state.
NEWS AND NOTES
Come on down to the Great American State Fair — there’s plenty of room | Sam Gauntt, States Newsroom
US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order | Ariana Figueroa, Tennessee Lookout
US Supreme Court upholds transgender athlete bans in Idaho, West Virginia | Jacob Fischler and Shauneen Miranda, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
House Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed a lawyer for Advance Financial to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority. Sexton sponsored legislation that created an Advance product that skirted laws on high-interest loans. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Adam Friedman
House Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed John Cheadle, a lawyer for payday lender Advance Financial whose firm has sued thousands of Tennesseans over 279.5% loans, to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board. Advance Financial is one of Sexton’s biggest campaign donors, but Sexton says he chose Cheadle for the latter’s aviation experience.
COMMENTARY
Young children with significant behavioral challenges need extra support before being moved out of classrooms, and teachers need more extensive professional training to provide it. (Photo: Getty Images)
by Allison Oliver, Ph.D.
“When I read about a Tennessee school district considering alternative placements for kindergarten students with significant behavioral challenges, my first thought was not, “What is wrong with these children?” It was, “What supports have been provided to these children and the adults teaching them?”
COMMENTARY
John Cole’s Tennessee: The Trump in the punchbowl. Plans for the Great American State Fair first went awry when performers dropped out, citing partisanship. Small crowds continue to plague the event, despite President Donald Trump saying on social media it was “packed.”
John Cole’s Tennessee: The Trump in the punchbowl
ICYMI
Inside the race for Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District | Larry Griffin
Tennessee GOP senators seek review of botched execution | Sam Stockard
Tennessee taxpayers could foot bill for some SNAP costs if state’s error rate doesn’t improve | Cassandra Stephenson
Thanks for reading The Daily Lookout. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.