Conversations on cannabis took place at the state Capitol Tuesday as hemp advocates, including the Tennessee Growers Coalition, spent the day talking with lawmakers.

Tuesday was considered Hemp Day on the Hill. The Coalition planned to talk to their representatives about having an accessible and safe hemp industry while staying economically viable.

Lawmakers will focus on a Delta 8 and hemp product safety bill. Delta 8 is a psychoactive substance found in a cannabis plant giving someone a high similar to marijuana. You can buy delta 8 in the form of a vape, gummies, or even cookies.

It is currently legal to sell to anyone in Tennessee, despite their age. However, most will only sell it to those over 21. The concern is that it could get in the hands of children

At least 18 states have regulated, restricted, or banned THC-Delta 8. However, Tennessee is not one of them. This ban is something one Tennessee lawmaker wants to change.

“This legislation, we’re hoping if we can get support and get it through, that it will start regulating an industry that definitely needs regulating,” Republican state Rep. Chris Hurt said.

News4 investigates found 115 cases of accidental overdoses of Delta 8 were reported to the Tennessee Poison Center in 2021 and 30 percent of those were children under five years old.