DEA Reclassification Of Marijuana May Force Tennessee Legislators To Reconsider The Issue

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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

Tennessee lawmakers may have to reconsider the legalization of marijuana as the Drug Enforcement Administration proposes a recategorizing of marijuana to a lower category drug classification.

According to the Associated Press, the Department of Justice made the recommendation and the DEA is soliciting the public’s thoughts on the issue.

Marijuana is currently listed as a Schedule I drug, which is not allowed for medical use and is considered to be extremely addictive and potentially dangerous.

The move would change it to a Schedule III drug that, while still a controlled substance, can be prescribed for medical use.

A change at the federal level would not automatically alter the current marijuana regulations in Tennessee. Some Schedule III drugs can be prescribed with limitations, while others are not legal at all. 

The state has already legalized hemp, which is cannabis sativa that has less than 0.3% THC, but percentages about that are still illegal. Products that contain CBD, a cannabis component that does not provide a high, are also allowed to be sold.

Several Democratic legislators from Memphis have voiced their support of the move, insisting that it will benefit people by giving them access to the drug for medical use.

“While my ultimate goal is still legalization in Tennessee, this is incredible news for folks who would benefit right now from natural medical cannabis to treat chronic pain or illness,” said State Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis-District 33).

Representative Jesse Chism also touted the financial gain that the state could see from legalization.

“Our state has spent millions and millions of taxpayer dollars to enforce cannabis laws that are outdated and harmful to a lot of people, including many Tennesseans who are trying to get relief from painful chronic medical issues. In addition to wasting those dollars, we’ve completely ignored the financial benefits that could be coming the state’s way,” Chism stated. (D-Memphis-District 85).

Republican State Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) has sponsored several bills attempting to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state, however no legislation has passed. She has previously stated that delaying the legalization of the drug was hindering those who could benefit from it medically. 

State Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield-District 23) echoed her sentiments when she brought her bill last year, saying, “Over the years, as products have become available and people have been able to go to other states and get medical grade products that they want, the feedback that we get is these products work. They’re helpful, and someone who’s in a chronic pain situation might get some relief from it.”

Six of the eight states that border Tennessee have legalized marijuana use for either medical or recreational purposes.