Tennessee Bills Would Legalize Marijuana For Adults, Which Sponsors Say Could Bring In Millions In State Revenue

“Our state has spent millions and millions of taxpayer dollars to enforce outdated cannabis laws.”

By Kim Jarrett, The Center Square

Two Democrats have filed bills that would legalize recreational marijuana in Tennessee, a move one of the bill’s sponsors said could add millions to the state’s general fund.

House Bill 836 by Rep. Larry Miller (D-Memphis) also includes a provision for medical use for minors for 27 conditions, including cancer and chronic pain, if administered by their parents.

Tennesseans over 21 could possess up to 60 grams of marijuana flower and 15 grams of concentrate for recreational use and grow up to 12 plants at home.

The state would levy a 15 percent tax on marijuana on top of the sales tax. The general fund would receive 85 percent of the revenue, with 10 percent going to the Department of Agriculture for administrative costs and 5 percent going to the Department of Revenue as well as administrative costs, according to the bill.

The state would review past marijuana convictions and people in jail or prison only for marijuana offenses could be released, if the bill is approved.

Recreational marijuana is legal in 25 states and 39 states allow medical use, Miller said.

“Our state has spent millions and millions of taxpayer dollars to enforce outdated cannabis laws,” Miller said. “While recent estimations show that we are potentially leaving more than $155 million dollars annually on the table by ignoring what poll after poll shows Tennesseans overwhelmingly support.”

Legislators last considered legalization of the drug in 2021 when decriminalization was being discussed at the federal level. The fiscal note on that bill said that the state could save more than $423,000 a year housing those jailed for marijuana offices and local governments could save more than $2 million. But local government could also lose more than $460,000 in fines. The bill failed to get out of committee.

Sixty-three percent of Tennesseans who responded to the Vanderbilt Poll in December said they backed the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. The poll shows 53 percent of supporters were Republicans and 78 percent were Democrats.

“The poll also shows strong bipartisan support for the measure,” Miller said. “Therefore, it’s time we finally listen to what Tennesseans are saying and act as true public servants.”

Virginia lawmakers approved a bill this week that would create a legal marijuana market in the state. The bill had bipartisan support, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said he would veto it, according to a report from WSET.

Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) has introduced the legislation in the Tennessee Senate.

This story was first published by The Center Square.