The governor of Tennessee signed a bill to expand the CBD program as well as create a commission to study broader medical marijuana legalization.
Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed the legislation weeks after lawmakers sent it to his office. Advocates say they are happy with the victory, but there’s frustration that the legislature couldn’t deliver a more comprehensive expansion proposal.
Expanded CBD Program for Patients
The bill will allow patients with qualifying conditions to possess CBD oil that contains no more than 0.9 percent THC. This percentage is three times greater than the federal definition of hemp.
The current list of qualifying conditions will go beyond intractable epilepsy to add Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, cancer, inflammatory bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and sickle cell disease. In addition, patients will need to keep proof of their condition and a recommendation from a doctor to be able to possess the oil.
For Tennessee patients to obtain the oil, they will need to go out of state or get it illegally because the state does not have a legal way to purchase cannabis. So, in effect, the bill provides legal protections for certain patients under strict circumstances.
Legalizing Marijuana
Under the enacted bill, a nine-member commission will analyze federal and state marijuana laws. The goal is to prepare future bills to legalize medical marijuana. First, however, the measure clarifies that implementing a medical marijuana market is conditional on Congress federally rescheduling the plant.
The commission will serve as a resource for studying laws regarding medical cannabis and the preparation of legislation to establish an effective medical program in Tennessee.
The bill’s text clarified that establishing the commission does not authorize a medical cannabis program to operate in Tennessee. It also prohibits issuing licenses until marijuana is no longer a Schedule I substance of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The commission will look at federal and state marijuana policies as they concern patient qualifications and registrations. It will also look at the role of medical professionals in recommending cannabis and the role of pharmacists. They will look into licensing and regulation of marijuana businesses as well. Finally, they will evaluate taxes, testing protocols, and current laws on possession and use of cannabis.
They will need to submit their first report to both legislature chambers by January 1, 2022.
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