Tennessee Lawmakers Pass On Medical Marijuana For Another Year

The debate on medical marijuana in the Tennessee General Assembly has been postponed for at least one more year.

The latest version of the bill — a compromise between four lawmakers with similar proposals — was not enough to garner support from the Republican supermajority.

Nashville Republican Steve Dickerson, the measure’s sponsor in the state Senate, requested the delay. He’s hopeful the legislation could be embraced by more of his colleagues next year.

“I know who the fence-sitters are, and the advocates know who the fence-sitters are,” Dickerson said. “They know who might be convincible over the next six months, and I think they will probably get a lot of attention from the grassroots community.”

The bill would have created a commission to oversee the growing and dispensing of medical cannabis in the state. Only those with specific debilitating medical conditions could apply for a license to use marijuana.

The House version has also stalled this session because of a lack of support.