In what is expected to be the first of many bills related to marijuana proposed this year, three new measures were introduced Tuesday.

Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, introduced a bill that would allow a Tennessean with a valid medical marijuana "identification" card issued in another state to carry a small amount of the drug in the Volunteer State.

The measure, SB 260/HB 234, would let Tennesseans have up to a half-ounce of marijuana, so long as they had an identification card from another state.

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of marijuana. Several require residents to obtain cards prior to purchasing marijuana.

In addition to SB 260, Kyle introduced two other bills on Tuesday. One, SB 256, would decriminalize the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Johnson is the House sponsor of the bill.

Another, SB 257, would change the definition of marijuana for tax purposes to fall in line with how it is defined in the criminal code. Kyle is the only sponsor of that measure, as of publication. Matt Anderson, a spokesman for Senate Democrats, said Wednesday the measure is a caption bill, a frequently used type of legislation that allows the sponsor to change its purpose at a later date.

The trio of bills are the first in what is expected to be a slew of measures introduced this year pertaining to cannabis.

Although two Democrats were behind the newest legislation filed, Republicans are expected to join the fray in the coming days.

Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, and Rep. Ron Travis, R-Dayton, have said they plan on introducing a bill that would create a new government commission to regulate the marijuana industry.

Lawmakers have until late next week to file bills.

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.