Bill > HB0872

This bill establishes the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act, creating a comprehensive medical cannabis program to be administered by the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Program Commission. The bill allows qualified patients with specific medical conditions to obtain medical cannabis through a carefully regulated system, with patients needing to obtain a medical cannabis card after being diagnosed with one of over 25 qualifying conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, chronic pain, PTSD, and several others. The program includes provisions for patients 18 and older, as well as a caregiver system for patients who need assistance, with strict requirements for obtaining and maintaining medical cannabis cards. The bill creates a detailed licensing framework for medical cannabis businesses, including urban and rural cultivation and dispensary licenses, with specific requirements for ownership, background checks, and operational standards. The legislation establishes robust regulatory oversight, including a track and trace system, product testing requirements, and a comprehensive set of rules governing cultivation, processing, testing, packaging, and sale of medical cannabis. The bill also includes tax provisions, allocating revenue to various state programs, and explicitly states that the program does not require employers to accommodate medical cannabis use or insurers to cover its costs. The program is set to begin implementation on July 1, 2025, with the commission expected to start issuing licenses and cards by early 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0872&ga=114