NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A medical marijuana bill has cleared another panel despite opposition from law enforcement, state health officials and Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.
In a 9-2 vote Wednesday, a House committee advanced legislation by Republican Rep. Jeremy Faison to remove criminal penalties for possessing cannabis that can’t be smoked for people with any of about a dozen medical conditions. They’d need a doctor’s order.
Marijuana products still couldn’t be legally obtained in-state.
People were interested in these podcasts
To appease Republican Rep. Micah Van Huss’s concerns, Faison amended the bill Wednesday to remove chronic pain and nausea as qualifying conditions.
Before other recent amendments, the bill initially established a medical marijuana program.
Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell has favored medical marijuana, but not recreational. She cast a tie-breaking vote to push the bill through another panel last month.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.