Medical marijuana bills languish in Tennessee legislative committee

In 2010, the Tennessee Legislature finally got serious about a medical marijuana bill introduced by Sen. Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis) and Rep. Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis). Not only did the bill get a hearing in committee, but the committee actually passed it after it was amended from a full medical marijuana bill to a study bill. This left advocates excited for the opportunity to build on their progress.

You can understand why, then, those activists have been disappointed with the legislature’s inaction since. After introduction of House and Senate legislation aimed at allowing seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana, both bills have sat idly in committee with no hearing on the horizon for either. Unfortunately, with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslem opposed to medical marijuana, the legislature apparently doesn’t think it’s worth taking the time to try and relieve the suffering of Tennessee residents with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other… Continue reading →