Legislation filed today in the Tennessee Senate by State Senator London Lamar (D) would place a nonbinding advisory question before voters in the November 2026 general election, asking whether the state should authorize a regulated medical marijuana program.
The proposal states that “The Secretary of State shall direct county election commissions to place the following advisory ballot question on the ballot for the November general election in 2026: Shall the State of Tennessee authorize a regulated medical cannabis program for qualifying patients, with a portion of cannabis tax revenue dedicated to afterschool programs, mental health services, law enforcement training, and community cannabis education?”
While the measure would not itself establish a medical marijuana program, it would provide lawmakers with formal guidance from voters on whether Tennessee should move forward with legalization for medical use. The advisory nature of the question means the results would not be legally binding, but they would likely carry significant political weight as lawmakers consider future policy changes.
The bill’s introductory findings lay out the rationale behind placing the question before voters, noting that “thirty-seven states have a medical cannabis regulatory structure” and asserting that Tennessee can address patient needs “with compassion while honoring medical freedom and the broader constitutional protections of all Americans.” The proposal also emphasizes public safety and regulation, stating that Tennesseans “believe in product safety and the protection of minors,” while arguing that a regulated system could reduce illicit markets by “significantly limiting illegal trade.”
The resolution further highlights potential fiscal benefits, noting that legalized medical marijuana tax revenue could be used to support “after-school and extracurricular youth programs, mental health and substance abuse support services, law enforcement education and impairment-recognition training, and community-based education and workforce development programs.”
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