Lawmakers hope to open discussion to legalize medical marijuana in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Medical marijuana is legal in 38 states, but not in Tennessee.

A proposed bill would give voters a chance to voice their opinion on if it should be legal.

The proposal was introduced by Tullahoma Republican Janice Bowling and Memphis Democrat Jesse Chism.

HB 2654/SB 2786 aims to add a poll to the November ballot, and even with some Republican support, however, it is unclear if the bill will pass.

Tennessee is one of 12 states where both recreational and medical marijuana remains illegal.

Some Tennesseans are open to the idea of legal marijuana.

“There’s a lot of medical uses for it.” Said one resident named Jeffery Johnson. “I mean depression, chronic depression, chronic pain. If it’s done right, I could see it being beneficial for a lot of people.”

The bill is scheduled to be discussed by committees in the House and Senate on Wednesday.

Rep. Chism says this is the second time he has made this proposal.

Republican leader William Lamberth said he opposes a ballot poll on the topic but rather would support a discussion by members of the General Assembly.