NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – During its first hearing in the Tennessee House, the Pot for Potholes Act was voted down.
Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) introduced the Pot for Potholes Act (HB 703 / SB 921) to legalize and tax recreational marijuana to generate new revenue for the state’s highways, bridges and regional mass transit projects.
On Wednesday, it failed with two votes for and five votes against it.
“Tennesseans are sick of dodging potholes and sitting in traffic jams while Republicans ignore our crumbling roads,” said Rep. Behn last week as she geared up for this hearing. “Legalizing marijuana is a no-brainer. It’s good policy, it’s what the people want, and it will bring in the revenue we need to rebuild our highways and transportation network.”
Here’s how lawmakers say the Pot for Potholes Act would have worked:
Legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.Establish a 15% sales tax on cannabis products.Direct 75% of revenue to the state Highway Fund to repair and modernize roads and bridges.Allocate 20% of revenue to local governments in all 95 counties, providing a desperately needed funding stream for transportation projects across Tennessee.Save millions worth of state and local tax dollars by ensuring individuals incarcerated solely for nonviolent marijuana offenses are released.
“Other states are already benefiting from cannabis tax revenue, while Tennessee is leaving money on the table and ignoring our growing infrastructure tab,” said Sen. Campbell last week. “This legislation invests in safer roads, creates jobs, and delivers new revenue for counties across Tennessee. It’s time to get this done.”
According to the bill’s history, the Pot for Potholes Act is set to be discussed in the Senate on March 31.
There are two other bills related to legalizing marijuana under consideration in the General Assembly.
Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) introduced SB 0809, the Tennessee Cannabis Act, which would allow an adult (someone 21 years of age or older) to personally use, possess and transport marijuana under 60 grams.
Simultaneously, Rep. Iris Rudder (R-Winchester) filed HB 0872 – the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act. This proposal would authorize access to medical cannabis on a regulated basis for patients with qualifying medical conditions.
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On Wednesday, it failed with two votes for and five votes against it. Read More
