Bill In Committee Would Legalize Marijuana In Tennessee

A bill that is now in committee would overhaul Tennessee’s laws regarding marijuana. A lawmaker from Nashville…democrat Bill Freeman has introduced house bill 1868, he calls the “Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act.” The bill if passed would legalize all marijuana…medical and recreational across the board. Under the bill adults 21 and up in the state would be allowed to use and possess up to 60 grams of marijuana for personal use. They would also be allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants on their private property so long as the growing area is not publically visible from the ground and is secured with locks or other devices.

Minors with medical conditions would be allowed to use medical marijuana with parental supervision after consulting with a doctor.

Under the bill local governments would not be allowed to pass more restrictive marijuana use laws. However, county or municipal governments would be allowed to hold a vote to decide whether to ban marijuana sales and growth, but would have to pass it with a two-thirds majority and renew the ban every year. If vendors sell to minors under 21, the bill proposes making it a Class C misdemeanor on the first three offenses, and a Class A misdemeanor on all other offenses, resulting in the seller losing their license for two years. That bill is currently in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee for consideration.