NASHVILLE, Tenn. — 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.
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.