Amid a federal push to reclassify marijuana, at least one member of the Hamilton County legislative delegation wants to consider moving forward with allowing medical uses of the substance.
President Joe Biden has greenlit a policy to broaden access to marijuana and knock down some of the legal hurdles that come with selling it for medical uses.
Leadership in the state legislature has already shown enthusiasm over the announced rule change. Tennessee House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, told The Tennessean the move would allow for crucial clinical studies and open the door for state universities to begin research.
“I think this is an excellent move on the federal government’s part. It needs to happen,” Faison said. “There are many Tennesseans who have been safely using the cannabis plant for various and sundry reasons. This allows research now to prove the overwhelming anecdotal evidence that cannabis is a viable option for people who are sick.”
When change could happen is unclear. Marijuana, which is currently shoulder-to-shoulder with harder drugs like heroin, is federally illegal. But as the skunky, smokable, edible and bakeable plant has proliferated in multiplying dispensaries nationwide and in the Chattanooga area, so too has spoken-word concern over its effects.