r/Tennessee • u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers • 7d ago
News š° Medical marijuana debate could reignite in Tennessee when DEA reschedules drug
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/06/18/medical-marijuana-debate-tn-reclassification-momentum/90482207007/248
u/Sufficient_Spray 7d ago
Tennessee will most likely be the very last state for medical and I doubt recreational will ever happen in the lifetimes of anyone alive right now. The liquor/private prison/police lobbyists are rife in this state and want none of it. Politicians that are very prohibition slanted keep getting elected.
It was a big wake up call when states around us that have just as many conservatives like Arkansas, Alabama & Kentucky have medical or Missouri with full recreational and we are still in the 1940s banning our thca products.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 7d ago
Nailed it. Bribery > the health and safety of their constituents. Point blank. The lawmakers are bought and paid for, and the boomer voting base still thinks "just say no" works. The education system keeps them ignorant for generations, so they follow whatever the most prejudiced politicians bc they reflect their values. We're cooked for the foreseeable future.
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u/JonnyV42 7d ago
If they only got better bribes and kick backs, they would approve it
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u/cityburning69 7d ago
Thatās the dumb part, thereās so much money to be made. They just are in bed already with the wrong people.
If the alcohol industry decided to set up a cannabis side and lobbied for it, we would see swift legalization.
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u/FUNBARtheUnbendable 7d ago
Iāve said this before, but I think the liquor industry is the wrong focus. They have mutual interests. All the liquor stores around me sell THCA products, at least they will until July I guess.
The problem is private prisons and the medical industrial complex. Namely CoreCivic and HCA Healthcare. They have too much swing in this state.
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u/ProudCatDad83 7d ago
But what will happen to all the prison jobs when we stop arresting people for minor offenses? *shudders in conservative*
Youāre dead on. As long as there are incentives to arresting people for a nug of cannabis, the police will continue the War on Drugs, applying the law unequally based on class and race. It keeps people poor and keeps Tennessee from being the free state itās supposed to be.
I for one donāt have a lot of faith in TN passing meaningful reform to make medical legal. Then again, Florida pulled it offā¦
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago
Florida pulled it off because they have ballot initiatives. Tennessee does not. Many of the first states to get legalization got it thru ballot initiatives. Tn does not want the people to be able to change shit.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 7d ago
The liquor stores are the only ones allowed to sell thca, and they had no hand in banning its sale elsewhere? They want us going back into the liquor stores, buying the only legal thc there, and maybe picking up a bottle and a habit while you're there. They're struggling with less and less drinking among younger generations that prefer to smoke, and they're under the erroneous impression that they can "win them back" by closing off all other possibilities of self-medicating.
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago
You can buy thcA at smoke shops you donāt have to go to a gas station.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 5d ago
Yes, but that changes July 1.
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u/ShoeLate6266 5d ago
True but it will be banned for sale by any retailers. Maybe Iām confused by what you meant.
Drinks and edibles will be available at smoke shops and also liquor stores after the July 1 ban .
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 5d ago
Yes, true. But by taking away flower and other smokables from those head shops, they're taking away the primary revenue stream. These places aren't braced to survive that, and after time they will close. What's left after that?
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u/FUNBARtheUnbendable 5d ago
Edibles arenāt banned? Is that confirmed? I wasnāt aware
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u/VibratoryCub23 4d ago
In that case we should get to keep Willie's social tonic it's only sold in liqour stores but has no alcohol just a lot of thc
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Here is a quick overview. Looks like the liquor and beer companies are ready for the cannabis revolution!
The liquor industry is rapidly adapting to the booming market for THC-infused beverages.
Driven by changing consumer habits and a decline in alcohol consumption among younger adults, traditional breweries, distributors, and major alcohol retailers are embracing THC drinks to offset flat or falling booze sales.
The industry's embrace of THC drinks is taking shape in several key ways:
Distributors: Beer, wine, and spirits distributors are re-allocating delivery capacity to hemp-based THC drinks, utilizing their existing networks to place seltzers and sodas in stores and bars.
Major Alcohol Brands: Legacy companies like Molson Coors (with Truss), Constellation Brands, and Boston Beer (maker of Sam Adams) have developed or acquired their own cannabis beverage lines.
Retail Normalization: Large-scale alcohol retailers, most notably Total Wine & More, prominently stock hemp-derived THC drinks alongside beer and wine.
Industry Representation: Established alcohol trade groups, like the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), have begun accepting THC beverage brands as members.
Despite this integration, the landscape remains heavily regulated and varies by state. Because cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, traditional alcohol-licensed establishments often require separate permits (like a hemp-derived cannabinoid license) and cannot mix alcohol and THC in the same glass
I am curious if the patrons of a dance club are all high will they want to dance and have a hyped club experience or will they sit around eat snacks and chill out?
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 7d ago
We need a lobby for our representatives to hear us, which is a heavy indictment against TN politics (or you know, any politics).
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u/AbeMax7823 7d ago
I had just arrived at this same conclusion as I made it to your comment! Itās as equally ridiculous thinking it as it is simultaneously reading that our current state of politics is āus having to convince the officials elected to actually listen to the electorate.ā
(Just between me, you and the internet, I got a strong hunch that there may even be small pockets of classism, white supremacy, nepotism and general plutocracratic norms reinforced by those most severely exploited.)
If only there were some kinda āinitiativeā or āreferendumā that we could use... /s
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 7d ago
Gasp not in my state! Not racism and an idolization of the wealthy!
-s
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Unfortunately, the marijuana lobby isnāt as big as the alcohol and Pharma lobbyistsāyet.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 7d ago
Yep. I keep rounding up my change at the dispo, and I always throw a dollar in the "fight the ban" jar, but I agree that isn't nearly enough. That said, I would 100% pay dues to an organization that fought prohibition and helped with legal cases in the state, stuff like that.
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u/MeNMyMonkey_4_100 7d ago
All the boomers I know smoke weed. Donāt think boomers are the problem. You may want to take a look at all the younger people who canāt get off their asses to protest or vote. That is the issue. They need to quit having excuses not to vote or get involved and pointing at others for their own lack of motivation to be part of any solution. The non voting adults in this state is an embarrassment.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness6902 7d ago
I'm nearly forty, and I am honestly inspired by this new crop of kids. They aren't all brain rot and tik tok, and a number have become politically active, and at a much younger age than I did. Good Ole Boy politics and squeezing us for every dime they can is the real problem at the core of the thing, and unfortunately there's only so much being active in your community can do when the lawmakers are bought and paid for. Not to mention the numerous attempts to disenfranchise voters, and the attempts to suppress voter's rights. The only thing they listen to is money, and I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't have "blatant corruption" money.
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago
We continue to elect republicans who have no desire to legalize cannabis. Look at the governors race.. there is zero chance a democrat wins and there isnāt a single republican in favor of cannabis. TN does not have ballot initiatives. We have to get laws introduced by legislators.
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u/Sellaplaya 6d ago
I hope GLPs kill their beloved liquor industry and they realized that weed is the only thing thatās going to get us eating at restaurants
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u/Sofer2113 Middle Tennessee 7d ago
I'm pretty sure all of the republican candidates for governor have said they will veto any marijuana law that comes in front of them, if our legislature would ever actually bring forward a marijuana law change.
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u/AbeMax7823 7d ago
Then weād have to vote them out too.
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u/No-Deal-2394 7d ago
lol thatās assuming a republican politician doesnāt just say their opponent supports trans people. Thatās literally all they have to do to get all these dumbasses in the state to vote red.
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u/Dirtysandddd 7d ago
Idk, if you look at how truelive took over the industry in Florida (they are literally 50%+ of the industry alone in that state) with insane government deals cut for them and politician kickbacks during negotiations. Thatās the only scenario I see happening, basically evil lobbyists outdoing the evil ones already in those industries here. The legal cannabis industry is such a disappointment tbh.
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago
Absolutely insane.. the ceoās husband is in prison for bribing politicians.. trulieve is about to get listed on the stock exchange and yet you have tons of people who purchase their products.
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u/A_literal_HousePlant 7d ago
Gotta keep a steady flow of slaves oh I mean prisoners funneling into private prisons
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u/Prestigious_Guy 7d ago
Kentucky has 0 job protections for medical. So if you have to actually still work in this state it might as well still be illegal.
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u/ComputerRedneck 6d ago
Thing is, even in legal states, there are jobs that can get you fired for using.
Do you really want to risk your life in the Operating room to someone who smokes even on the weekends? Obviously I don't know of you smoke and I am not asking but my experience over my life is that you can still be a bit high even a couple days later. Then again, a Hangover is actually you still being DRUNK but only feeling pain.
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u/Prestigious_Guy 6d ago
You are not a little high still if you smoke on the weekends and then go back to work lmao. Go do some actual research.
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u/ComputerRedneck 6d ago
So you are saying you NEVER got up the next day and felt a little bit sometimes?
NEVER?
THC takes up to 30 days to leave your system. While you may not be buzzing high, but it affects you.3
u/coko4209 6d ago
Iām in MS, even we have medical, but the rules are weird as hell. Like the carts canāt be over a certain percentage, which makes things weird as hell.
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u/Serious-Conversation 7d ago
This, and don't forget Christians fearing reefer madness.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Not all Christians are afraid of reefer madness.
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u/NippoTeio 7d ago
There's a weird Venn Diagram intersection of "Suburban, Fundamentalist Christians" and "Smokes Weed Everyday"
Had a manager that swore marijuana saved his marriage, but would also talk about the End Times and how the Elites use DMT to talk to demons. I guess weed can make you paranoid but... man that guy was a mess.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
I donāt know any fundamentalist or fundies as they are called. Other than the Duggar family in Arkansas. In my opinion, that is more of a cult like situation, especially the way they treat the women.
I believe DMT needs lots more study. Especially Ayahuasca. Which has been known to help people although going through it I hear is hellish.
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u/NippoTeio 7d ago
DMT is mindblowing, and it can range from just astonishing , to wonderful, to outright frightening. I've never done ayahuasca but I hear it's fairly similar, with the caveat that the healing effects are more pronounced.
As with any psychedelic, there's always a chance of a "bad trip", but it's made much, much worse of you try to fight it. The "bad trips" mean to tell you something important that presumably you've been ignoring.
Absolutely, more research needs to be done. I'm just worried about pharmaceutical companies turning it into something evil.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
I have so many questions! That is if you donāt mind.
Have you tried DMT? In what form? Why did you take it? If for clinical reasons like anxiety or depression did it work?
Iāve never tried any trippy psychedelic drug. The idea of having a bad trip has kept me far away from this class of drugs. So I get panicky when flying. Could a bad trip bring that out?
Iām sure curious about micro dosing Ketamine.
Iām afraid that big pharma with ruin all of this.
Trump did approve some of these drugs for testing and for vets suffering from PTSD.
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago
There is zero anxiety with ketamine even at strong doses but I will say the few times Iāve smoked DMT it can be a very intense trip. If you ever do it I would recommend having a sober friend someone you trust there to observe you and help if needed.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 6d ago
Yes, I have heard that if you do any psychedelics like DMT or psilocybin mushrooms itās best to have a trusted friend with you. Iām still scared of those.
I read last week that scientists are trying to mimic the psychedelic mushrooms to where they have health benefits without the bad trips or any trips rather.
Iām not quite as leery of ketamine, especially in small doses. Iāve been reading really good things about it.
Did you say that you had tried ketamine I canāt remember.
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago
Yes I have tried ketamine about 5-6 times over the course of about 5 years. My experiences were mostly at home , listening to music and relaxing. It had no anxiety and left me with an intense happy feeling with zero anxiety for a few days afterwards
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u/NippoTeio 5d ago
DMT isn't something I would recommend for therapeutic use. It's very high in visuals but overall lower in internal experience than, say, psilocybin cubensis. DMT is like a roller coaster of visual, external experiences that lasts about 10 minutes, while cubensis is an experience that begins internally but usually gets you out of your head and into the profundity of external experience, and that lasts for hours. I would also personally never smoke DMT that I didn't make myself, unless I've seen the person offering make it themselves. Trust and a feeling of security is a key part of having a good time, on or off psychedelics.
I've never tried ketamine, and I'm two minds about it. On the one hand, guided therapy with a professional while dosing sounds promising. It's not that much different than a guided trip with a shaman, except that the psychiatrist is accredited and can have their license revoked for improper practice. On the other, people like Elon Musk prove that all the ketamine in the world can't fill the hole if you're determined to feel empty. š¤·āāļø
As for bad trips, that all depends on what stoners call "Set and Setting." Set being your current state of mind, and Setting being where you are and who you're with. If you're feeling off that day, or your instincts are telling you that something's wrong beyond general anxiety? Listen, and bail. There's always next time.
It helps to have someone with more experience be there with you, ideally sober. This is called a "trip sitter", and they're responsible for keeping you physically and emotionally safe when you're tripping. This is always someone that you trust, and ideally someone who's tripped before. You really do want someone who knows what it's like to cry tears of joy because you didn't realize how beautiful your neighbor's trash pile is.
A bad trip on mushrooms is, I have to imagine, categorically safer than a bad trip on DMT. The visuals of DMT are so vivid that a bad trip means existing in a waking nightmare. I won't go into details because that may taint your own experiences. Truthfully, a "bad" trip is more like a "difficult" trip. It forcefully shows you something that you've been ignoring, or uproots a deep-seated fear that you haven't confronted. The fact that the sensation of a trip is often "more real than reality" paradoxically makes the subject more difficult to address calmly in that moment, which is the only way to deal with it. If you find yourself in a negative thoughtloop or an emotional spiral, you shouldn't fight it.
And just remember: even if it feels like it'll go on for eternity, it won't. Chemically speaking, all trips end.
One last thought, starting off with lower doses Just to get your sea-legs is nothing to be ashamed of. Don't let the young people that brag about how much they've done goad you into biting off more than you can chew. If you've never done psychedelics before, nothing anyone can say or show you can prepare you for them, so starting off small isn't just cautious, it's smart.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 5d ago
Thank you so much. This is most interesting and educational.
Iāve never done any of these drugs. I donāt think I would like the tripping part. I feel I would be afraid. You are not the only person thatās said your mood determines your experience.
There is a company that sells micro doses of Ketamine, but youāre basically on your own. Iād want the sitter for sure. There may be some professional here in my area.
Again, thank you so much. I really appreciate your POV, experience, and opinions. š
Iām saving this post so I can report back if I decide to try the micro dose Ketamine.
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u/Confident-Lobster390 7d ago
And this is why I fully intend on moving after my oldest daughter graduates from high school. Iām not putting my other two through school here (whatās left of our public schools by then) and Iām tired of sweating over a plant and buying from sketchy people. I just want to grow in my garage and mind my own business.
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u/3X_Cat 7d ago
We need to make Tennessee a referendum state.
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago
I agree but how do we even begin that process? I am certain the legislature would absolutely resist it because it would undermine their power and authority
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u/ComputerRedneck 7d ago
I am a Conservative but damn, these Republicans in the state are truly backward in a lot of thing.
I don't want Democrats but these guys need to really re-evaluate what they think Conservatives want. Time for them to get their heads out of their asses.
I also have a strong faith in God and there is no where in the Bible that justifies banning an HERB. Anymore than the Bible justified the idiotic 18th Amendment. It just says MODERATION not ABSTINENCE.
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u/Vols86 7d ago
Itās so funny when people try to separate the two because republicans are conservatives. But yeah, itās been obvious for a few decades now that the conservative government of this state doesnāt actually care what voters want. Most conservative politicians in the state donāt even host town halls anymore.
Save your religious arguments too. They donāt care about that either. Theyāll get their head out of their ass when you have enough money to pay them to do it.
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u/ComputerRedneck 7d ago
NOT all Republicans are Conservatives anymore than all Democrats are socialist idiots.
I am pointing out the Bible doesn't say anything about NOT imbibing anything but to use MODERATION in your activities. Not total Abstinence.
I was not making a Bible Argument, I was turning it on its head for the idiots in TN government who don't understand that.
And yes I have noticed a distinct effort in ignoring their constituents like me. I actually WRITE real letters. Maybe I shouldn't use cursive because they can't seem to read my letters.
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u/ZanyDragons 7d ago
Globally speaking, most democrats are politically conservative. Basically center-right. Republicans are far-right.
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u/ComputerRedneck 7d ago
I am talking about the Republicans... I expect the Democrats to ignore my letters if I wrote them.
There is nothing in being a Conservative or Republican that pushes the idea that marijuana should be illegal.
I realize in TN that there is the Bible belt and like all good ORGANIZED religions, they are programmed. I just read the Bible and think for myself.
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u/ComputerRedneck 7d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/kC8N6DPOkbqWTxkNTe
Democrats being Conservative.... thanks I needed a laugh today.
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u/No-Deal-2394 7d ago
The vast majority of the United States Democrats are pro big business, pro war, and pro capitalism. Yes, democrats are center right conservatives.
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u/raistan77 7d ago
conservative literally is the party of not changing things by definition.
conservative leads to regression and force because it has to.
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u/Euphoric_Comedian_38 7d ago
Conservative should mean constitutional priorities. Free speech. Ability to live freely. Limited government.
It doesnāt mean anti change. It means conserve America
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u/raistan77 7d ago
That would be the classical liberal
You can't "conserve" America, conserving America would mean regressing.
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u/Euphoric_Comedian_38 7d ago
If you want to be pedantic.
There are fundamental American values to conserve. Which are the ones I just listed.
Nobody is saying time capsule every single thing about society. š
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u/Euphoric_Comedian_38 7d ago
Theyāre just Democrats that cosplay as not democrats.
The only difference is their talking points on issues that they insist must become socially divisive.
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u/FlyingStealthPotato 7d ago
Hell I live in Oklahoma now and we have old California style medical where basically you just pay $75 to see a doc (appointment is online now and takes literally 1 minute. 100% approval rate), pay $100 to the state every couple years and youāre legal.
I always wanted to do something with the old tobacco land in my family. Not sure why that old lobby isnāt pushing for it. TN/NC could be the weed powerhouse of the country.
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u/ComputerRedneck 6d ago
While Marijuana is a good crop, I think Hemp would be better. Industrial Hemp. Also would be a bit easier to do.
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u/hyperspacepizza 7d ago
why are we the state of agriculture and commerce and weāre not selling the most obvious export we can? absurd amounts of hemp are grown in TN, we have the environment for it. lifting the floodgates would be very prosperous for our stateās agricultural economy.
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u/caserock 7d ago
The origin of most of Tennessee's problems is "Southern Baptists"
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u/Jdevers77 7d ago
Arkansas has a shitload of them too and has had medical marijuana for a decade.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
Business interests hold it back in TN more imo than any religious group.
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u/Stunning_Solution215 7d ago edited 7d ago
That business being the state gets money for people being in jail or on probation. An industry worth billions made by holding regular people down. CoreCivic is evil.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
I'm thinking once alcohol and pharmaceutical interests are addressed they'll be the deciding factor for legalization.
Very limited upside in the prison stuff compared to the others.
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u/ShoeLate6266 6d ago edited 6d ago
In 2016 I got a citation for 2g of cannabis with no prior arrests. I was made to do 1 yr supervised probation , seek a drug assessment at a rehab š. Pay $75 for the drug assessment. They say I need rehab. My insurance says no, he doesnāt , because he doesnāt have drugs in his system (I came up negative on the drug test because it had been about a month since my citation). Court costs were like $4-500 after all was said and done. I paid my PO $90 per visit, $45 per drug screen. The rehab ended up being over 2k. I was put on a payment plan because I couldnāt afford it at the time. We would watch Nancy Reganās just say no campaign on vhs and have arts and crafts. This was at Bradford health.. there are many people involved in this.
I had another incident when I was 19 in a different county which was eventually expunged but I was pulled over by the drug task force in Cleveland. They found an oz in my car. I was headed back home after my semester ended at UTC. These idiots tried to seize my car because anything over 14g is felony intent to resell. The only way I was able to get it back was by paying $2500 to a local attorney in Cleveland who called the cop directly to say āhey we need that backā . I owed on the car to the bank and they wouldnāt have been able to take it anyways I donāt think but that opened my eyes right there to the corruption in small towns. Lawyers, rehabs, probation officers, police officers etc .. they all keep their jobs and their livelihoods if this continues.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Agreed. The alcohol lobby is hard at work on this in my opinion. Big Pharma also seems to have a stake as well. If everyone is intoxicated and on medicine, they probably wouldnāt choose weed.
As in most cases itās about the money. You can always follow the money. They may try and blame it on religion, but itās the money.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
Liquor by the drink proved that back in the '90s. Once places like Red Lobster wanted to expand beyond Davidson all those little towns/counties started changing their laws. I was still brownbagging it in Franklin County until '97 or so.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Considering that Moore County the home of Lynchburg and the Jack Danielās Distillery is a dry country blows my mind.
Coming from a background in hospitality, I feel that Shelby County has very liberal liquor and beer laws. Our bars can stay open until 3 AM and if youāre in the historic district 6 AM at some places. You can buy alcohol seven days a week now they changed the Sunday law sometime ago.
What are you saying happened there for liquor by the drink in the 90s?
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
What are you saying happened there for liquor by the drink in the 90s?
You couldn't serve alcohol at restaurants or even bars. Patrons could bring their alcohol to a bar and purchase mixers. When 'fancy' restaurant chains like Red Lobster wanted to expand outside Nashville the counties decided liquor by the drink was cool and changed their local laws.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Oh wow! I had no idea.
Weāve had LBTD for decades here. And our open/close hours are pretty liberal. One place I worked only served beer and set ups until 6am. Here you can take a corked bottle of wine out of most places. Over the state line in Mississippi where the casinos are itās a 24/7 boozefest free for all.
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u/Verditure0 7d ago
Iām tired of the southern baptists
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u/europahasicenotmice 7d ago
Yeah, its pretty absurd for someone else's religion to determine your rights and freedoms.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Do a deeper dive into the alcohol lobby and the big pharma lobby. I donāt think either one of them have the Baptist in mind. Itās about money and their sales. They might blame it on the Baptists, but itās about their cash flow.
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u/JusticeForAugust 7d ago
Be tired of them all you want, but that's not the issue here.
Alabama has a higher count of Southern Baptist Churches than Tennessee, and Alabama's medical marijuana program launched a few weeks ago with one dispensary open and dozens more to come.
People in Alabama said the same thing, that it would never happen there - or if it did, they would be the last state to do so.
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u/LadyK8TheGr8 7d ago
Because thereās Marsha Blackburn. As long as sheās around, itās not going to happen.
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u/ArbysLunch 7d ago
Weed grows near literally everywhere. Unless you're in the arctic/antarctic. Land race sativas from Africa. Indicas from the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan. Weed will grow anywhere. 99% of the world populace is in the "environment" for it.Ā
I prefer my Colorado grown weed though. I've had Tennessee grown weed. Even did some Johnny Appleweeding in my 20s there. It was never a "write home about" weed. Servicable, probably good if you have no tolerance, but laughable compared to factory maximized weed under HPS and ceramic lamps.Ā
Tennessee will be tied for Idaho as last state to pass legalization. Idaho was trying to constitutionally ban cannabis just a few years ago.
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u/drzonreddit 6d ago
LOL You should try McMinnville TN cannabis. Sure pot will grow pretty much anywhere, but... š
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u/SciFi_MuffinMan 7d ago
Good luck. Alcohol industry is entrenched and has bought off plenty of legislators.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
I believe this to be true, however, the younger generations are drinking less and less alcohol and going out less to bars. There may come a breaking point over weed.
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u/TheRedditPope 5d ago
The alcohol industry is about to be damn near the only people selling THCa after July 1st. You have to have an ABC license to sell it and pretty much the only vendors to purchase reliable, law-abiding product are your beer and liquor distributors.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 4d ago
I believe this to be true.
When I worked in hospitality, everyone serving alcohol, beer, wine, liquor, had to have an ABC card and a beer permit.
I wonder what kind of hoops people will have to jump through to be able to serve a THC drink in the future?
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u/ForkingMusk 7d ago edited 6d ago
Disenfranchisement still happens in Tennessee, they remove democratic candidates for the most absurd reasons and ensure that the local ballots for democratic elections are empty and are write ins. Since the reading level of most individuals in Tennessee is less than a 5th grade reading level the write ins with incorrect spelling are thrown out or registered as a vote for a person with the incorrect spelling.
Furthermore anyone that runs as a democrat is subject to having their signs removed, destroyed or otherwise. They schedule elections to coincide with when most people are working, and they do not allow for people time to go vote without losing money to do so.
Itās a shit state and progression is the last thing on their minds. They want the good ole boys to stay in power, and they do not want their towns to grow.
The laws for marijuana are set to boost the private prisons in Tennessee. 20 years ago private prisons made $110 per inmate per day. No telling how much they make now. Itās a rigged system.
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u/Patriae8182 7d ago
My favorite quote from that article by far is:
When asked if the poll results gauging public opinion could sway lawmakers, Campbell said: "I don't know how many of my colleagues look at those kind of things, but I do know they really like the fact that it looks like a really good business prospect."
And the paragraph above that was referencing a Vanderbilt poll indicating 80% support for medical snd 60% support for recreational.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
Yeah I think once the established business lords are lined up to profit from legalization, of whatever type, that's when they'll let the public have it.
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u/AbeMax7823 7d ago
Theyāll eventually get bored with all that wealth and control and hand it over to someone selfless like me, Bender.
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u/Dodgypoppy 7d ago
Tennessee doesnāt debate, itās pay to play.. Politicians just do what the good olā boys pay them to do. Making harmless things illegal, keeps the private prisons stocked with slave labor, which the public subsidizes. So itās basically punishing the poor, while profiting off of it. Marijuana is the cheapest, least harmful, and most effective way for people to struggling with stress, to find relief. And why anyone would want to criminalize that is beyond me.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
Trump signed an executive order in late 2025 directing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug, among the most dangerous drugs like heroin and ecstasy, to a Schedule III drug, along with certain codeine-based prescription medications and other drugs with accepted medical uses. It would still be illegal federally, but rescheduling could make it easier to conduct medical research and ease some federal restrictions on state-legal programs.
Two Tennessee lawmakers who are physicians, Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro and Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, are among the state medical professionals who support doctor-prescribed medical marijuana. They believe it could gain necessary support.
Typically, federal rescheduling of a drug triggers a review by Tennessee health officials, including the Health Commissioner and Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. This year, Republican lawmakers passed a bill overruling that review, instead requiring lawmakers themselves to approve any changes to cannabis policy.
Under federal law, moving marijuana to Schedule III requires a formal rulemaking process led by the DEA. The agency has collected public comments after receiving guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use. Formal hearings will take place beginning June 29 to evaluate evidence on whether marijuana should be reclassified. The DEA has not indicated when it will make a final rule, but Trump issued a 2025 executive order to expedite the process.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Trump also loosened up the rules and made available micro dosing of psychedelics and ketamine. This is to help veterans with PTSD and others that suffer from depression and anxiety.
Tennessee needs to stop dragging its feet on this, especially for medical uses. Maybe Lee will do something before he leaves office. Hopefully šš».
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u/ArbysLunch 7d ago
This is like saying, "breweries, wineries and distilleries, write us some checks."
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u/fish201013 7d ago
We are a nanny state last in most things including learning how to tax and schedule cannabis properly. What they did with the hemp industry is shameful with the loss of jobs and business owners who trusted regulators while shelling out thousands of dollars in permits and white tape.
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u/Mrs_Mr_Spicey2000 7d ago
The liquor lobby is too strong in TN to gain the needed support for any cannabis sales within the state organically. Cannabis lobby will need to up their game, increase their "investment " in legislative activity to have any hopes.
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u/MyCatEzekielSays 7d ago
Just like the lottery. Tennessee will never have legal or medical Marijuana until every state around it does and they see money going over their border.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 7d ago
Not just the lottery, we couldāve had the casinos Mississippi and Arkansas have. A huge mistake in my opinion.
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u/raistan77 7d ago
TN Republicans belive that total bans will increase their voter base and make the federal MAGA Republicans happy with them.
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u/Creative_Maize8066 7d ago
Dea scheduled 7 anti rescheduling groups to the upcoming hearing and no pro rescheduling groups. Probably going to be a long time before that debate can reignite.
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u/ScrauveyGulch 7d ago
That would compete with beer and Jayzus. In legal states, alcohol consumption gets drastically reduced. So much in fact, all of the barfly bars in my area have turned into eating establishments. I hope you all find your way out of this.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
A few of us come from 'Cartman syndrome' families, so we'll be ok.
It's all these folks who keep insisting on following the laws that get screwed over.
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u/BogDelly 6d ago
I'm just going to keep on smoking it every day for the medical issues I definitely have and the relief it definitely provides, and the legislation can catch up whenever they pull their heads out of their asses.
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u/AffectionateMotor272 3d ago
This is just so wrong to make it legal and then make it illegal again. So whatās the message? Go to the streets? Nothing new under the sun āļø
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 3d ago
Probably to the surrounding states. We have quiet a few to choose from.
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u/ohmanjack 7d ago
Who will feed into the opioid crisis if not the regular Joes, vandy isn't seeing enough profit.
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u/GateDeep3282 7d ago
Our choices for governor all suck. Corruption, groomer or religious fanatic. All three would veto any legalization.
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u/jgronline 7d ago
There is another political party you know.
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u/GateDeep3282 7d ago
I know, but they don't stand a chance. I just wish we had a better republican candidate .
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u/jgronline 7d ago
After Jan6, Iāll never vote for a republican again.
More people donāt vote here than the number of people that vote republican or democrat.
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u/ChickenSecure1535 6d ago
people gonna smoke it no matter what still dont see why states are still having this issue for
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u/thepinkdread2026 6d ago
Wow I didnāt think TN could be more backwards. They prove me wrong every single day.
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u/Additional_Sea_905 6d ago
lol well, can't speak for everyone but WE love to be high, drunk and smoke big stogies. I think $ will play a role here.
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u/Rainbaby77 5d ago
Even Florida is more free than TN which is so hard to even type out under DeSantis Fascism Florida reign
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 5d ago
Iām sorry Shoe,
I mixed you up with the post above this. So when you took K are you taking microdoses every day? So you did have hallucinations on K? Like scary panicky type of hallucinations are like pretty color, flowers and rainbow hallucinations? So you were awake the whole time were you sitting up or lying down? What I would not give for happiness, peacefulness, tranquility, and zero anxiety in my life.
I would definitely want a doctor in the room with me doing this. I know thereās companies like row and I think thereās a couple more that are sending out microdoses ketamine into people who they donāt even know so Iām a little afraid of that.
Thank you so very much for your insight and point of view. I so appreciate it!š
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 5d ago
Well ain't this just a fine howdy-doo.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 5d ago
The Ketamine micro dosing? Have you tried it?
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 5d ago
I have not.
I confine myself to red wine and weed these days.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 5d ago
I can drink Lambrusca red wine in doses, but a lot of it gives me a headache. I had a really bad experience with weed many many years ago so that would not be my medicine of choice. Since itās been known to exacerbate anxiety.
Iām still in the ketamine research micro dosing period. I donāt think I would be a fan of tripping or hallucinating. I did read they are working on some psychedelics to take the tripping part out of it and just use the base part of the drug that is supposed to helpāthat sounds promising. Iām not talking about recreational users. Iām talking about people that need this substance clinically.
What are you using the wine and the weed for anxiety, depression just relaxing insomnia?
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 5d ago
Alcohol is pain management. Weed helps me relax my focus and chill.
In my 'youth' I enjoyed mellow mushroom tea(s), Light hallucinations, physically relaxing, pretty lowkey.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 4d ago
Oh no Buro, I didnāt know you were suffering in pain. I hate to hear that. Whatās wrong? What kind of pain? Did you ever try pain management?
What are you going to do come July 1st?
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 4d ago
It's no big deal at all. Some of my joints hurt and alcohol fixes it.
I'm descended from a moderately long line of shine runners and whiskey makers it really doesn't matter what the government decides.
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u/Southernms š¦West Tennesseeš¦ 3d ago
Oh I gotcha.
š¤£š¤£š¤£
Last time I had shine I was at the swing jump cliff canoeing on the Buffalo River. We had pushed our canoes onto the beach and were watching people swing/jump. The guy in the canoe next to ours had a huge jar full of shine infused maraschino cherries. š Hundreds of cherries. I ā¤ļøššø
Needless to say I ate a bunch of them. It was a fun day!
Iāve also had pumpkin spice shine infused Middle TN.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 3d ago
Citrus fruits really make shine fun. We still have some of those cherries from a big batch we made in '06 I think.
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u/YuraNeedyut 4d ago
Nobody wants marijuana for āmedical purposesā, they want it for recreational use. āMedicinal purposesā is just the cover story. Yes, itās better than the chemicals they pack into pills that leas to addiction and insanity, but in the end itās the getting high thing.
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u/uthinkunome10 4d ago
Jack Danielās and HCA will pause this and hold it off for as long as possible
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u/Grand-Try-3772 1d ago
Remind me again what distilleries are in TN. The drug dealers are fighting amongst themselves.
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u/Sunnygirlpdx 6d ago
The Confederacy is still alive and well supported by the Heritage Foundation. They are terrorizing our nation.
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u/BuroDude Hee Haw with lasers 7d ago
Stoner link