Legislators propose medical marijuana bills, see growing momentum

State legislators have proposed a bill that would allow the growth and distribution of medical marijuana, saying the legislation will promote economic growth within Tennessee’s agriculture sector as well as help alleviate the ongoing opioid epidemic.

The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-16) and Rep. Ron Travis (R-31), as written would allow qualified patients to obtain a medical marijuana card if they are diagnosed with specific medical conditions. Currently, 33 states have adopted medical marijuana legislation and similar movements are popping up all over the South.

For the past four years, medical marijuana legislation led in large part by Nashville Republican Sen. Steve Dickerson, has been shot down. Specifically, with incoming Gov. Bill Lee’s outward opposition to progressive marijuana policies, critics worry there won’t be enough traction to move the bill to adoption.

Dickerson said he will also introduce medical marijuana legislation this session, and told the Post that having multiple bills working their way through the General Assembly may forge greater support among lawmakers in 2019.

“With two or more bills, I think it gives the effort more momentum,” Dickerson said. “I intend to work closely with Senator Bowling to find language that will pass through the senate committees and floor. This is a great day for the advocates of medical cannabis in our state.”

Despite past reluctance by lawmakers, voters overwhelmingly are in favor of medical marijuana legislation. According to a press release, polling across the state during the last two years has shown that 80 percent of Tennesseans support access to medical cannabis.

Bowling said initially she was against the concept, but research has led her to favor it, specifically as an alternative to opioids for pain relief treatment.

“I feel a compelling interest in making certain we are providing options. In the last 50 years, opioids have become ‘the best treatment available for pain’ or the ‘only treatment available for terminal cancer patients,’” Bowling told the Post. “We know the danger of that drug, and we know how highly addictive that is. We know that it has terrible consequences and has caused unimaginable human tragedy … It does not seem consistent nor does it seem honest to say, ‘Yes, we will let you take these things we know will kill you but no we are not going to let you take anything that 33 other states are allowing their citizens to take.’”

The 33 states who do allow medical marijuana have seen a roughly 25 percent reduction in opioid use and individuals are allowed access to a safe alternative without being incriminated. Those states also have seen growth in their agriculture industries. Medical cannabis sales in the U.S. last year exceeded $3.5 billion and Bowling believes Tennessee can be a player in this rising market.

“For years, Tennessee had a strong tobacco crop. Agriculture has taken on a new dimension; we have your traditional cattle and soybeans and corn and cotton — and now even hemp. I think the same will play out with medical cannabis,” Bowling said.

Hemp, which was legalized for production in Tennessee with CBD three years ago, has gained traction with farmers across the state, and Tennessee has already become the eighth-largest hemp manufacturer in the U.S. The amount of state licenses for the industrial hemp production in Tennessee grew to 226 in 2018, nearly triple the amount of a year earlier. According to a report by NewsChannel 5, local farmers are already seeing the economic advantage of hemp. One farmer said while one acre of land growing tobacco yields at most $5,000, that same amount of space yields $50,000 if growing hemp plants.

If passed, the bill proposes a protectionist approach to the medical marijuana industry, allowing local farmers and entrepreneurs the chance to gain traction in manufacturing and distribution by mandating patients to purchase products from companies that are licensed by Tennessee and owned by Tennesseans.

No official study has been conducted on the potential economic impact of medical marijuana in Tennessee if adopted by lawmakers.

"I have full confidence in the people in Tennessee that are already in our agricultural business that — if they see this is something they would want to apply for — they would certainly have the skill set to make this happen," Bowling said. "It will allow urban and rural access to the licenses so that we don’t end up having all the licenses be in one major urban area and will stop out-of-state businesses from taking over before Tennesseans get their feet wet. We have done everything we can do.”

For regulation purposes, the bill will also create a self-funded government commission responsible for patient access and industry licensure. Bowling said it will comprise of about nine individuals who will be appointed by the governor.

The Tennessee Medical Association said it is watching these bills actively and is very interested in any legislation that will help the opioid epidemic. However, for the group to take a stance on medical marijuana in practice, federal law will need to change to allow research to be done to study any adverse side effects.

For Bowling, evidence from other states, along with national research conducted in Israel, is enough to allow constituents the freedom to use and manufacture in Tennessee.

“I think in Tennessee what we will see is hopefully reduction in crime, an increase in medical benefits for those who will need it and an economical impact from the various businesses who choose to become apart of this new industry,” Bowling said.