Tennessee, one of nine states that has not legalized cannabis, may be on the verge of a significant shift. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is considering reclassifying marijuana, a move that could pave the way for medical marijuana in the state.
Two Tennessee lawmakers who are also physicians, Rep. Bryan Terry and Sen. Richard Briggs, are among the state medical professionals who support doctor-prescribed medical marijuana. They believe that reclassifying marijuana could lead to its legalization in Tennessee.
Terry and Briggs argue that medical marijuana could provide relief for patients with a range of conditions, including multiple sclerosis, cancer, and partial paralysis. They envision a system where pharmaceutical companies sell medical marijuana, the FDA regulates it, and patients buy it at local pharmacies.
The DEA’s decision to reclassify marijuana would not legalize it federally, but it would recognize its accepted medical uses and lower its classification. This could lead to a review by Tennessee health officials, including the Health Commissioner and Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
According to polling, a large majority of Tennesseans support legalizing medical marijuana, with over 81% in favor. Even some longtime lawmakers who have opposed legalization are retiring or shifting their stance.
Sen. Heidi Campbell, a Democrat, believes that the shift in attitudes among lawmakers could lead to medical marijuana being legalized in Tennessee. She suggests that the state could consider approving a limited number of dispensaries to produce and sell medical marijuana to patients with prescriptions.
The prospect of medical marijuana being legalized in Tennessee has significant implications for the state’s economy. California and other states that allow marijuana growers and dispensaries benefit financially through taxes and permit fees.
Terry and Briggs are among the lawmakers who support medical marijuana being sold in drug stores, rather than dispensaries, to keep costs down for patients. They believe that this approach would also help to keep the industry out of the hands of those with no medical background.
Ultimately, the decision to legalize medical marijuana in Tennessee will depend on the DEA’s decision to reclassify the drug and the state’s health officials’ review of the issue. However, with a large majority of Tennesseans in favor of legalization, it is likely that the state will take steps to make medical marijuana available to patients in the near future.
