Cannabis sentiments have changed massively in the US, with 2022 seeing widespread acceptance and legalization. States like Missouri and Maryland passed ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana, not just medicinal.
Despite the positive reception of marijuana in most states, some states remain largely unmoved by the whole thing, and Tennessee is one of them.
Marijuana laws in Tennessee are some of the strictest in the nation. If you’re a Tennessean interested in cannabis or new to the state, knowing the state’s position regarding marijuana is crucial.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know about medical marijuana laws in Tennessee
How are Medical Marijuana Laws in Tennessee?
The question assumes that Tennessee laws differ for medicinal and adult-use cannabis, which is the case in many states.
But it doesn’t matter whether cannabis is considered medical or recreational. In Tennessee, both are illegal and attract serious penalties.
If you were arrested for marijuana charges in Tennessee, the consequences would mostly depend on the amount of weed, your intentions, previous conviction, etc.
There are two categories of marijuana charges: possession and growing/selling.
Marijuana Possession
As a Class A misdemeanor, possession of marijuana can attract up to 11 months of jail term and a $250 fine. As strict as this is, it’s the least penalty in the state when it comes to marijuana.
Manufacturing and Selling
Manufacturing or selling marijuana is more serious, with the severity of penalties mostly coming down to marijuana weight or the number of plants discovered in your possession.
For instance, having no more than ten pounds will put you in a Class E Felony, which may result in a prison term of one to six years and $5000 in fines.
The more plants you have, the higher the felony class, which attracts even more years in prison and bigger fines.
The severest penalty is reserved for those arrested with 500 or more plants or 300 pounds of weed. If convicted, you risk a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 60 years in prison and up to half a million in fines.
The High-CBD Cannabis Oil Law
Governor Bill Haslam signed a law in 2015 legalizing the possession and use of cannabis for a small number of serious conditions like epilepsy.
The bill basically tried to mimic medical cannabis legislation in other states, except that it didn’t accommodate provisions for legal sale, meaning that patients will have to buy cannabis oil outside the state.
Note that the only form of cannabis you can buy and use in Tennessee should be a high-CBD low-THC oil with up to 0.9% THC content, slightly above the 0.3% limit that distinguishes marijuana products from hemp.
Still, patients need a legal order or recommendation from marijuana doctors in Tennessee before buying and bringing CBD oils into the state.
Conditions that qualify for treatment with CBD oil were expanded in 2021. Here are some:
- Epilepsy or intractable seizures
- Parkinson’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- End-stage cancer
- Sickle cell disease
Legalization and Decriminalization Efforts
While the tides shifted in favor of cannabis legalization and decriminalization during the 2022 legislative session in many states, no cannabis reforms were passed in Tennessee.
The fact is that there wasn’t a single measure on the ballot for voters to decide on the state’s cannabis future.
It’s no secret that Tennesseans overwhelmingly support medicinal cannabis to benefit patients because 80% of residents favor reforms. Still, the power to enact changes rests solely on legislators who aren’t budging.
In 2016, local jurisdictions — the cities of Nashville and Memphis — made efforts to decriminalize petty marijuana charges involving possessions of small amounts of weed.
As such, both cities passed ordinances that allowed officers the discretion to charge offenders with civil infractions for small possessions.
The efforts by the two cities to show leniency for small marijuana possessions didn’t go far. Then-Governor Bill Haslam slammed those decriminalization efforts. He signed a bill that stipulated that state government law has precedence over local government edicts.
Final Thoughts
Marijuana laws in the state of Tennessee are extremely strict. If you’re visiting from a state with relaxed laws or one with fully-legal status, keep in mind that the change will be dramatic.
You should not forget that possessing, using, selling, and cultivating marijuana is strictly illegal.
