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Tennesseeans who support medicinal cannabis have some potentially good news to get excited about. A bill that would legalize medicinal marijuana, HB1749, is circulating the state House. The bill, introduced by Steven Dickerson, would is known as the "Medical Cannabis Act" and works to establish a medical cannabis commission for regulation of cannabis-related health care as well as amending several laws in the Tennessee Code Annotated related to marijuana.

Today, it will be voted on by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the results of that vote will determine if it moves forward. Committee members include Paul Sherrell, a representative for White County, Grundy County and a large portion of Warren County. Representative Sherrell is still undecided on the matter, but just one vote could be all that's needed to ensure the legality of marijuana for those who could benefit from it.

The FDA has claimed that they support freedom of consumers to pick the options for treatment that best suits them. Anecdotal evidence and research support the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana for a host of conditions from migraines, fibromyalgia, neuropathy and chronic pain, to depression, anxiety and PTSD or even cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and auto-immune disorders. Research has shown that medical marijuana has been a life-saver for many who live with epilepsy, spasms and seizures.

States in the Southeast have been notoriously hit hard by the Opioid Epidemic and Tennessee is no exception. In states where cannabis was legalized for medicinal purposes the use of opiates, opioids and other pharmaceuticals declined drastically. It is recommended to call or email members of the <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/House/committees/criminal-justice.html">Criminal Justice Subcommittee</a> and <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h43.html">Paul Sherrell</a>.

Source:

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1749&GA=110