Bipartisan Medical Cannabis Act passes first subcommittee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A bipartisan bill wanting to legalize medical cannabis in the state of Tennessee is working its way through the General Assembly. Tuesday, the state’s House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed the Medical Cannabis Act by a 4-3 vote in Nashville after hearing from law enforcement and the health department.

The bill would allow the use of cannabis oil for medical purposes, as long as you have a prescription from your doctor.

And people we spoke with are in full support.

“I think it would be a good thing for anywhere. It’s better than the Oxycontin and all the other drugs that get people addicted and cause trouble,” K.C. Fisher said.

“That gives people with cancer and other illnesses another option other than painkillers, which frankly are kinda killing people right now, so yeah I think it’s an awesome idea,” Durane Wiley added.

“I believe if it’s legal in one place, it should be legal in all,” Danina Hampton said.

Federal law still classifies cannabis as a schedule one substance — meaning the drug has a high potential for abuse with no currently accepted medical use in the U-S.

The Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society says this classification blocks the ability to do meaningful research on the drug’s medical effects.

“As we try to look at the medical marijuana issue, we really just need more science and to be able to do the kind of research that’s needed to see if it can legitimately can help people, we need to get federal law changed,” said Rae Young Bond, the CEO and Executive Director of the Medical Society.

The bill still has several hurdles to overcome before reaching the main vote on the Senate and House floors.