TENN. REPUBLICANS MAY SHIFT TOWARD ESTABLISHING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM
In Nashville, some Tennessee Republican lawmakers are indicating a potential shift toward establishing a medical marijuana program in the state within the next two or three years, marking a departure from the legislature’s long-standing resistance to cannabis legalization. Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby), a longtime supporter, predicted that a framework could be set up soon, attributing the change in momentum to the federal government’s process of reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, which addresses previous objections by allowing doctors greater discretion in determining its medical benefits and reducing federal barriers.
House Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) echoed this, noting that federal rescheduling is resolving his major concerns and paving the way for medical use as a safer, natural alternative to opioids for seriously ill patients, free from risks like fentanyl contamination. While the current General Assembly is not yet prepared to enact full legalization, bipartisan bills have been introduced this session, including a Republican-supported measure to study the state’s readiness for a medical marijuana program—advanced unusually by suspending rules for upcoming committee debate—and others, such as proposals for a non-binding referendum on the issue.
Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis), welcomed the developments as overdue, citing the opioid crisis and the need for alternatives to prescription painkillers. Advocates from the Tennessee chapter of NORML emphasized that medical marijuana transcends partisanship, with growing Republican support seen as key to benefiting Tennesseans through regulated, adult-only access. A December 2024 Vanderbilt poll showed 63% of voters favoring recreational legalization, underscoring broader public support as groups urge constituents to contact lawmakers.
