Smoky Mountain Munchies opens in downtown Knoxville as owners keep an eye on changing laws

A new downtown Knoxville smoke shop has joined the ranks of those capitalizing on the 2018 farm bill that allows the sale of certain THC products, and the owners are specializing in infused food and drinks.

Smoky Mountain Munchies opened this summer with hemp-derived products as the owners watch how Tennessee's laws could change. They're acutely aware of rules the Tennessee Department of Agriculture has put into place to restrict the sale and growth of THCa flower.

The 122 S. Gay St. store is owned by brothers and Knoxville natives Chris Haines and Jonathan Haines and their longtime friend Daniel Lakin. Smoky Mountain Munchies offers gummies and edibles with hemp-derived cannabinoids, plus vapes, pipes, papers, concentrates and tinctures.

Is THCA legal in Tennessee?

Marijuana on its own is still illegal to sell or possess in Tennessee, but hemp-derived products have taken off. They can have some of the same physical and psychological effects as smoking or consuming pot.

THCa is nonpsychoactive, but when exposed to heat such as smoking, the THCa is converted into THC. And THC is what causes impairment and feeling high.

THCa flower is a popular product at many smoke shops and dispensaries, and new regulations for farmers and sellers from a 2023 law are under close scrutiny.

The stricter rules control labeling, licensing, testing standards in THC levels and where it can be sold.

More about Smoky Mountain Munchies and what the store sells

Chris Haines said most stores focus on sweet edibles like fruit gummies or chocolates. Smoky Mountain Munchies offers drinks and a variety of other ways to consume, in addition to sweeter options.

Cheech and Chong's Cruise Chews are among their best-selling products, along with vape pods. Chocolate chip cookies and fudge are hard to keep in stock because of high demand. They're working to stock more East Tennessee products by working with vendors and farms in Chattanooga, Nashville and Sevierville.

The shop only accepts cash, but the owners are working on debit and credit card portals.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smoky Mountain Munchies opens in downtown Knoxville as owners keep an eye on changing laws