An adult-use cannabis legalization was introduced in the Tennessee Senate on Tuesday. The Tennessee Cannabis Act would allow sales to adults 21-and-older and allow personal possession of up to 60 grams of flower and 15 grams of concentrate, and home cultivation of up to 12 plants.
The proposal would leave oversight of the industry to the Department of Agriculture. It would impose a 15% excise tax on adult-use cannabis sales, with revenue allocated toward administrative costs and the state’s general fund.
The legislation also includes provisions for automatic release and expungement for individuals incarcerated for non-violent cannabis offenses. Local governments would be allowed to opt out of cannabis sales if two-thirds of voters in a municipality pass a referendum by September 30, 2025 – those bans would expire annually unless renewed.
Tennessee has a limited medical cannabis law allowing patients to use CBD products but is one of just 12 states that lack a comprehensive medical cannabis law.
A Vanderbilt Poll released last year found 63% of Tennessee voters backed legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state, including 53% of Republicans and 78% of Democrats. The Tennessee Cannabis Act was introduced in the state Senate by state Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D) and in the House by state Rep. Larry Miller (D).
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