NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) — Will medical marijuana be on the Tennessee General Assembly’s agenda this upcoming session?
The Joint Committee on Medical Cannabis convened for the first time on Thursday to discuss the state’s options when it comes to legalizing it. House Speaker Beth Harwell requested the committee, which is made up of state representatives and senators who are hearing from law enforcement, state Department of Health staff and other various doctors and experts.
Rep. Jeremy Faison, a Republican who represents all of Cocke County and parts of Greene and Jefferson counties, co-chairs the panel.
“I feel like it’s the same arguments that we’ve heard historically. I feel like the deeper we get into this over the next couple of months, the arguments have no foundation,” Faison said. “When it comes just to the strict use of the medical grade cannabis, it’s a great benefit all the way around for the state.”
Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, is on the panel as well.
Supporters and opponents of medical marijuana packed the room to listen to the panel’s discussions. One woman, Stacie Mathes, said she was attneding in favor or legalizing it so she could use marijuana to treat her 3-year-old daughter Josie’s seizures. Mathes said her daughter started taking Cannabidiol oil, a derivative of marijuana, two years ago when it was legalized.
“We’re grateful, by far, that we have the CBD. But there are conditions and Josie’s included that do apply for more THC,” Mathes said. “We have multiple seizures everyday, but a huge reduction, 500 to 1,000 seizures everyday down to 30 on a good day.”
However, David Reagan, the state Department of Health’s chief medical officer, said he believes more studies on medical marijuana are necessary before legalizing it in the state. Before more studies can be done, Reagan said marijuana’s schedule one designation must change.
“We support doing additional research. The FDA, more the DEA from our perspective, has traditionally been, for 100 years, has been an organization that exemplifies getting us safe and effective medicines,” Reagan said.
credit:local8now.com
