More Republican lawmakers are joining the push to allow medical marijuana in Tennessee.
The “Medical Cannabis Only Act” is now co-sponsored by Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) and Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee Dr. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro).
“I believe it is time for us to take action on the state level with regards to medical marijuana,” Harwell said. “I am in favor of this legislation, which does not allow for the smoking of medical marijuana–I am not in favor of that approach. However, the federal government continues to be a roadblock for legitimate research or medical uses of medical cannabis, but other states have enacted laws to help patients, and Tennessee should do the same.”
The bill, which would only allow medical the production of oil-based cannabis, rather than raw marijuana, was introduced by Sen. Steve Dickerson (R-Nashville) and Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby).
Tennesseans would need to have specific health conditions to gain access.
The bill is scheduled to be voted on in a subcommittee on Tuesday.
