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Beth Harwell touts support for medical marijuana in new TV spot

In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell addresses the audience during the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling making it easier to collect online sales taxes could yield billions of dollars for state and local governments, if they decide to keep it. Rather than spend the windfall on schools, prisons or other government services, some Republican governors and lawmakers are proposing to give it away in the form of additional tax cuts to residents. Harwell, a republican candidate for governor, wants to lower the state's 7 percent sales tax rate. (George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP, Pool, File)
In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell addresses the audience during the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling making it easier to collect online sales taxes could yield billions of dollars for state and local governments, if they decide to keep it. Rather than spend the windfall on schools, prisons or other government services, some Republican governors and lawmakers are proposing to give it away in the form of additional tax cuts to residents. Harwell, a republican candidate for governor, wants to lower the state's 7 percent sales tax rate. (George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP, Pool, File)

By Andy Sher 3 min read

NASHVILLE – Republican gubernatorial candidate Beth Harwell is putting her support for legalizing physician-prescribed medical cannabis front and center in the closing weeks of Tennessee’s GOP primary as she seeks to distinguish herself from the rest of the field.

Calling it an “issue of dignity of life for many Tennesseans suffering debilitating illnesses and injuries,” the state House speaker said at a news conference Friday that “too many Tennesseans are suffering in pain with dangerous opioids as their only option.

“This includes children suffering from seizures, cancer patients, our veterans and the elderly,” she added, noting that President Donald Trump voiced his support for medical cannabis and “leaving the decision up to state governments.”

Harwell’s comments came as her campaign begins airing a new 30-second television spot that touts her position. Accompanying her were Nashville physicians Jeff Cook and Bruce Wolf, who back her position.

In the ad, Harwell says “I just now if it were my loved one, I would want that option. Opioids must not be our only option for those in pain.