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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
In their Monday night meeting, the Montgomery County Commission decided against adding the legalization of medical marijuana to their 2025 Legislative Agenda, despite it being on the agenda in previous years.
This year, the primary focus of the agenda was infrastructure and public policy. However, Commission David Shelton, who proposed the original amendment, raised the issue, arguing that it should have been on the agenda.
“For some reason, it was omitted on this one, so I felt it was important to correct that omission,” Shelton said.
Shelton argued that medical cannabis can be a good alternative to opioids, specifically for veterans, noting that surrounding states like Kentucky and Alabama had already legalized it.
Shelton continued, “I understand there may be a lot of people who find (the subject) controversial, but the reality of it is medical cannabis is supported by an overwhelming majority of the public… This is something that we need; this is something our veterans need; this is something our community needs, and we should be pushing it forward.”
Commissioner Rashidah Leverett, chair of the Legislative Liaison Committee, expressed concerns about the lack of sufficient deliberation.
“Introducing a resolution of this magnitude, we need to have meaningful debate as a committee,” Leverett said, suggesting that the issue required input from all 21 commissioners and stakeholders like the public, law enforcement, and the Health Department.
She added, “I wish it had been brought to us at the beginning when we first met,” noting that the Commission needed to come to their own consensus before taking it to the General Assembly.
Commissioner David Harper made a motion to defer the amendment for one month to allow more time for discussion, but that motion failed.
Commissioner Jorge Padro, while supportive of medical cannabis, also raised concerns about its potential misuse, asking, “How do we ensure that doesn’t get out of the medical environment and affect other people in the community?”
The amendment was voted down 11-9. Those voting no included Commissioners John Gannon, Joe Smith, Rickey Ray, Leverett, Michael Lankford, Burkholder, Joe Creek, Walker Woodruff, Harper, Chris Rasnic, and Billy Frye. Commissioners voting yes were Tangi Smith, Padro, Jeremiah Walker, Carmelle Chandler, Joshua Beal, Lisa Prichard, Ryan Gallant, Autumn Simmons, and Shelton. Commissioner Jason Knight was absent.
The County Commission unanimously approved the original Legislative Agenda. Shelton stated after the meeting that he would bring up the issue again when the commission prepares the 2026 agenda.
One Response
Genesis 1:29
And God GOD!! said, Behold, I have given you(for your judicious responsible use) every EVERY!! herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, AND(also) every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Smoking ANY herb is neither responsible nor judicious.
Many “Christians” are still brainwashed by lucifer’s pharma which HATES unpatentable herbs.