Republican Introduces Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Proposal in Tennessee

Two Republican lawmakers introduced a comprehensive bill Monday that would allow Tennesseans suffering from a variety of maladies to use medical marijuana.

The legislation, introduced by Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, and Rep. Ron Travis, R-Dayton, is dubbed the "Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act."

The 29-page measure includes provisions that would allow those suffering from more than a dozen conditions the ability to consume marijuana.

Although lawmakers introduced a bill in 2018 that would have only allowed oil-based manufactured products to be consumed, Bowling and Travis's measure appears to permit any form of marijuana for medical purposes.

"'Cannabis' means all parts of any plant of the genus cannabis, whether growing or not, including the seeds, extractions, of any kind from any part of the plant, and every compound, derivative, mixture, product, or preparation of the plant," the bill states.

The legislation would not permit any recreational use of marijuana in Tennessee.

The Tullahoma Republican did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sen. Janice Bowling introduced medical marijuana legislation. (Photo: Submitted)

"The broad purpose of the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act is to increase low-cost public health options, alleviate suffering, develop agriculture business, incentivize research of THC benefits, and expeditiously license and track medical cannabis from cultivation to point of sale within the boundaries of this state," the bill says.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/04/medical-marijuana-tennessee-republican-lawmaker-introduces-comprehensive-bill/2771112002/?fbclid=IwAR3BOmjKUbx1yTLA_h7RmpSwAxUMFgxmOgm1YgPUmJwFsoO2K0CfP49U6Ds