Lee wants to ‘explore alternatives’ to medical marijuana legalization

Republican Gov. Bill Lee wants to “explore alternatives” before the state takes steps to legalize medical marijuana, WKRN-TV reports.

“I think we ought to expand the use of low-THC CBD oils first to alternative treatments before we go there,” said Lee said.

A renewed effort to legalize medical marijuana in Tennessee would establish a framework to license growing and dispensing cannabis. Supporters note  that 33 states representing two-thirds of the national population have already enacted medical marijuana programs. They also argue legalization would lead to a significant drop in opioid abuse.

Recreational use would remain banned under this year’s bill sponsored by Rep. Ron Travis (R-Dayton) and Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma). The measure would require patients suffering from a specific set of maladies to obtain a cannabis card from a doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner.