Medical Marijuana in Tennessee
As one of the strictest states on marijuana legalization, the Tennessee legislature’s attempts to pass several medical marijuana legalization bills have been futile. However, in May 2021, Governor Lee signed Senate Bill 118 into law, which slightly expanded the state’s access to low-THC medical cannabis. Under this new law, not only did the list of qualifying conditions expand greatly, but also qualified patients will be able to possess and use products with no more than 0.9%. Furthermore, the framework of this law established a nine (9) member commission to review the federal and state laws regarding medical cannabis. The Tennessee Medical Marijuana Commission’s goal is to provide recommendations prior to the 2024 legislative session (January 9th, 2024) on how the program should be implemented and regulated.
Unfortunately during the 2023 legislative session, none of the cannabis reform bills introduced advanced beyond committee hearings. Even though 81% of Tennessee voters support legalization of marijuana to some extent, the “Volunteer State” has continued to face strong opposition in both the House and the Senate. Since Kentucky enacted their medical marijuana bill in 2023, Tennessee is the “odd-man out” compared to seven (7) of its (8) eight border states as all have implemented comprehensive medical marijuana laws.
Applications for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses in Tennessee
Under Senate Bill 118, the nine (9) member commission had to report their recommendations and proposals to the Tennessee Legislature by January 2022. After review of other states’ medical marijuana programs and their progress, the Tennessee Medical Marijuana Commission will provide the legislature recommendations on the implementation of such program prior to the start of the 2024 legislative session. As a result, there will be an open application process for Medical Marijuana Business Licenses in Tennessee in the near future. Now is the time to get started with your business plan. You can provide your information here to receive notification updates related to Tennessee cannabis matters. Schedule a consultation to further discuss your options here.
Last Updated: July 18th, 2023