The Senate Government Operations Committee approved of a new bill to legalize medical cannabis in Tennessee. With a vote of 6-2, the Tennessee Medical Marijuana Act, also known as SB 854, moves on to its next committee hearing. The next committee to hear SB 854 is the Senate Judiciary Committee. Another vote will happen before moving on to a full Senate chamber discussion and vote. 

SB 854 

Senate Bill 854 is sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R). Senator Bowling has been passionately speaking out for those who are suffering and need help. “This is about the people who desperately need it,” the Senator said. “This is about the $1.5 billion black market that exists in Tennessee right now, where your friends and neighbors – you’ve gone to their funerals – who’ve gone to get a product to try to help themselves or a loved one, and ended up with getting something in the black market laced with fentanyl.”

Under SB 854, qualifying patients can purchase and possess cannabis from licensed dispensaries. However, prescription cannabis can’t be smoked, vaped, or infused with foods. It must be in capsule or oil forms to help and prevent any fraud or black market sales from happening.

There are 31 different medical conditions that approve medical cannabis use for patients over 18. There’s a stricter list for minors. Some of these conditions include: Cancer, Epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, MS, Kidney Failure, PTSD, Autism, Tourette’s, and ALS. For minors, the list is simply: CP, Cystic Fibrosis, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Disease), and Muscular Dystrophy.

Under SB 854, a nine percent sales tax would apply to all sales. Local governments and municipalities can add on up to an additional 2.1 percent tax. Revenue would fund the creation of the medical cannabis program, community and economic development grants, Veteran services, and law enforcement training related to opioids and meth. 

Future for Tennessee

The bill still needs discussion on a second committee before it moves to a full Senate chamber vote. However, many citizens and lawmakers back this new measure. There are currently 36 states that offer medical cannabis to citizens. This includes neighboring states Missouri and Arkansas along with close state Illinois. More than ⅔ of citizens in the States have access to medical cannabis. Either through their own state or a neighboring state. Tennessee is only one of seven states that still labels all forms of cannabis illegal. It makes no difference if the cannabis is medical or recreational. 

The initial round of medical cannabis approval cards would begin June 2022. This gives Tennessee more than a year to set up a properly working system for production and applying for a card. These cards would be $65 a person, no matter they are a patient or an approved medical caregiver. 

Tennessee has previously seen a medical cannabis bill pass through this time last year. But it didn’t get far because of the Covid-19 pandemic beginning. 

Many are excited about SB 854 being approved by one committee. This could be a chance for Tennessee to grow. In fact, around 73 percent of citizens agree in some form for legalizing medical marijuana usage. A date has not been scheduled for the next committee hearing.

As more information develops around Tennessee medical cannabis, we will update you with the latest. Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.