The Tennessee House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill to extend the state’s Medical Cannabis Commission, keeping it in place until June 30, 2029.
Tennessee State Capitol.
House Bill 255 received a 90 to 0 vote today, with one member present but not voting.
The commission, originally set to expire in 2025, was created to study and make recommendations on medical cannabis policy in Tennessee. While the state does not have a comprehensive medical marijuana program, the commission has been tasked with evaluating how such programs function in other states and advising lawmakers on potential pathways for legalization.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where a companion measure, Senate Bill 77, is under consideration. The extension is seen as a step toward maintaining discussions on medical cannabis policy in Tennessee, though it does not directly legalize marijuana for medical use.
As reported by The Marijuana Herald, separate legislation that would establish a medical marijuana program is currently up for committee consideration in the state legislature, with a potential vote coming on February 25. The proposal would allow patients with qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana under a regulated framework.
While previous efforts to pass similar bills have failed, supporters hope that the growing national trend of medical marijuana legalization and Tennessee’s continued study of the issue will strengthen its chances.
