Tennessee Brings Forth Medical Cannabis Bill

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]he country music capital of the world may be ready to welcome medical cannabis into its arms. Two Tennessee lawmakers recently announced that a draft bill is in the works for medical cannabis legislation. State Sen. Janice Bowling and Rep. Ron Travis expect to present the bill in within the next few weeks. Such a move would mean that Tennessee could be joining the other 33 states with legal medical cannabis.

“As I learn about the different medical cannabis products available in other states, I am concerned that in Tennessee, a person can’t find relief for their children’s or any other family member’s medical condition, such as epileptic seizures or cancer,” Travis said during the draft’s announcement. Upon the announcement, The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Trade Association gave its approval and support of Travis and Bowling’s move towards medical cannabis legislation.

The proposed bill would establish a committee to oversee the regulation within the state, by managing the way cannabis products are represented to the public and the manner in which the products are sold and used. Legislation would also permit patients suffering from certain conditions to use cannabis for treatment.

Like other states with a medical cannabis law, Tennessee residents would need a state-licensed medical card to purchase cannabis products. In order to guarantee a successful execution, the lawmakers have collaborated with other states and intend for the upcoming bill to be distinct from others in the past.

Sen. Bowling expressed her hope for medical cannabis to be a method to combat the ever growing opioid crisis the nation is facing, calling the plant a, “natural and effective option for pain relief.”

As time progresses, there is an increasing number of republican representatives that have reconsidered their stance on the cannabis question. With more states turning towards cannabis as viable option of medical treatment, cannabis may just become a bipartisan matter.