TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Dec 23, 2025

Tennessee lawmakers from both parties are urging marijuana law reform after President Donald Trump ordered cannabis reclassified federally from Schedule I to Schedule III, signaling recognized medical value. Tennessee is one of 10 states that restricts medicinal and recreational marijuana while 22 other states have legalized some form of recreational use. According to the Tennessee Lookout, Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, said the change should prompt Tennessee to consider medical marijuana, decriminalization or legalization, arguing current laws are overly punitive and out of step with other states. Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, who had previously advocated for passing medical marijuana laws, said, “I truly hope that this fosters medical research that either debunks what many sick Americans have testified to or provides the evidence and foundation showing that cannabis is safer than opioids and other man-altered substances.” Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, pushed back, saying he has no interest in changing Tennessee’s marijuana laws and maintains cannabis remains a dangerous drug despite the federal shift.