NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee General Assembly introduced companion bills in both the House and Senate to legalize the medical and recreational use of marijuana.
SB0809 and HB0836 were filled Tuesday. The bill would allow people 21 years of age and older to possess and/or grow marijuana. It lays out the restrictions, medical use, business licensing, taxation, criminal and consumer protections for the drug.
Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) and Rep. Larry Miller (D-Memphis) are sponsors on the respective bills.
The bill would allow people over 21 years old to possess up to 60 grams of marijuana flower with a maximum of 15 grams as a concentrate. It would also allow permits for home growing for personal use of up to 12 plants.
Under this bill, parents and guardians would be able to administer “non-smokeable” marijuana products to minors with qualified medical conditions including, cancer, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, chronic pain, epilepsy and 21 other conditions. The Tennessee Department of Health would provide documentation forms for medical use.
The bill also creates a licensing system for marijuana growers, processors, dispensaries, transporters and testing facilities. It would prioritize licenses for veterans, previous hemp license holders, businesses in economically disadvantaged counties and Tennessee residents.
The tax rate on marijuana would be 15% on retail sales and local governments could add up to 5% additional tax, the bill states. The regular sales tax would also apply. The revenue would go to the state’s general fund, with 10% going to agriculture and 5% given to the state’s Department of Revenue to pay administrative costs.
Local municipalities would be allowed to regulate hours, location and the number of dispensaries in their areas. Counties and cities would also be allowed to ban cannabis businesses with a 2/3 vote, however, they would need to vote by Sept. 30, 2025. The bans would be renewed annually. Areas with the bans would not receive cannabis-related grant funding.
If the bill passes, people in prison for solely marijuana offenses would be released. The state would have to review all marijuana-related sentences.
The bill would also offer protections to marijuana users. The bill would make it illegal to discriminate against marijuana users when it comes to gaining employment, housing and public benefits.
Marijuana processors would be required to test all products and restrict dangerous pesticides. The products would be required to be in child-resistant packaging, “use of a universal symbol,” and show how much THC is present.
The bill would restrict advertising and the display of marijuana products.
The notes it would still be illegal to drive or operate machinery while using marijuana.
If passed the bill would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Tennessee previously tried to legalize the drug for medical use in March 2021. The bill died in the state Senate.
