Tennessee Governor Signs Bill Blocking State Medical Marijuana Legalization Review Following Federal Rescheduling

Tennessee’s governor has signed a invoice to dam an automated overview that would have potentially legalized medical marijuana under state law following the federal rescheduling of the medicine.

Under Tennessee regulation, federal reclassification of a substance usually triggers an automated overview by the state’s commissioner of well being and commissioner of psychological well being and substance abuse providers. But below SB1603, which Gov. Bill Lee (R) accepted on Thursday, that won’t be the case with regards to hashish.

“If marijuana is rescheduled or deleted as a controlled substance under federal law, then the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services shall not reschedule or delete marijuana under [state drug laws] Unless the general assembly has established a regulatory framework for marijuana and authorized the commissioner to reschedule or delete marijuana as a controlled substance,” the Bill says.

The governor’s motion got here on the identical because the US Department of Justice announced that it is formally moving forward with marijuana rescheduling.

Last month, House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R) mentioned the push to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) could remove roadblocks on the state degree.

“My biggest objections are being resolved by the federal government right now in rescheduling cannabis and rescheduling specifically marijuana and allowing the doctors to take over and make a determination on how and if these substances could be helpful,” Lamberth mentioned on the time.

But now, with Lee’s motion, there can be no automated state scheduling overview for hashish following the federal coverage change.

Lawmakers, nevertheless, might all the time go laws to enact legalization—in the event that they select to take action.

To that finish, Rep. Jason Powell (D) final week known as on the governor and legislative leaders to convenes a special session focused on legalizing medical marijuana entry for sufferers.

“The suffering of Tennesseans who could benefit from medical cannabis is more than enough reason to bring legislators back to Nashville,” he mentioned. “If the governor chooses not to act, then members of the General Assembly should come together and call a special session ourselves. This issue deserves action this year.”

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Lawmakers on each side of the aisle in Tennessee mentioned how the federal move to reclassify marijuana could open the door to medical marijuana reform After President Donald Trump issued an government order in December directing officers to finalize the method.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) mentioned on the time that rescheduling represents a “first step” to medical cannabis reform in Tennesseethough he famous there are nonetheless sure excellent logistical inquiries to reply.

“There will have to be conversations about who manufactures it, who tests it, who distributes, which medical illness could it be used for, does this require [federal Food and Drug Administration, or FDA] approval and a host of other questions,” Sexton mentioned.