Medical marijuana bills considered by Tennessee legislature
A bill that would have legalized medical marijuana in Tennessee recently failed to pass out of the House health subcommittee.
April 05, 2014
Medical marijuana bills considered by Tennessee legislatureArticle provided by Law Office of Kenneth W. Brashier
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Recently, the Tennessee House health subcommittee considered two bills regarding the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The results were vastly different for the two bills.
The first -- called the Koozer-Kuhn Medical Cannabis Act or H.B. 1385 -- did not make it out of committee. The bill would have allowed patients suffering from a variety of ailments to possess enough marijuana to treat their illness for one month, so long as a doctor certified that the advantages of using marijuana were greater than the potential hazards. Despite its defeat during the current legislative session, many are hopeful that it will be more successful during the next session.
The second bill had a much more favorable outcome in the health subcommittee. An amendment to H.B. 2461 allows for the use of cannabis oil, or CBD oil, during a four-year clinical study at research hospitals and universities. The studies will focus on the effectiveness of using CBD oil to treat pediatric epilepsy. CBD is one of the two main components of marijuana. CBD is the substance with medicinal properties, while THC is the substance in marijuana that produces a high. CBD oil is considered particularly beneficial as the majority of the THC is removed, leaving only the medicinal component of the drug.
Take action against marijuana crime charges in Tennessee
As no bill has yet been passed in Tennessee allowing the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes, the penalties for possession of the drug continue to be quite severe. The penalties depend on whether the individual has prior convictions.
Upon a first or second offense for possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana, an individual may face misdemeanor charges. Upon a third offense, an individual can face felony charges.
The penalties for a first conviction for possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana include a mandatory $250 fine and up to one year in jail. Upon a second conviction, the potential jail sentence remains the same, while the fine increases to $500. Those convicted of three marijuana possession offenses face a maximum fine of $1,000 and from one to six years in jail.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a marijuana-related crime in Tennessee, you ought to take steps to protect your interests. As the penalties for a marijuana crime conviction can be severe, it would be wise to consider seeking the counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney.