After a review of scientific studies, researchers say extracts from marijuana plants can help treat pain and spasticity symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis. A systematic review recently presented at the Consortium of MS Centers in Tennessee has concluded that cannabinoids may have “modest effects in multiple sclerosis for pain or spasticity.”

Researchers looked at the safety and effectiveness of cannabis as well as studying its impact on disability and disability progression, pain, spasticity, bladder function, tremor/ataxia, quality of life, and adverse effects. Five reviews concluded that there was sufficient evidence that cannabinoids may be beneficial for symptoms of pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS).

One of the lead sponsors of a medical-marijuana bill in Tennessee withdrew the measure Tuesday after telling fellow lawmakers the legislation has been so watered down that passing it would actually harm rather than help patients.

Sen. Steve Dickerson, a Republican from Nashville who is also a medical doctor, said he worried that passing the bill as amended would only forestall the full legalization of medical marijuana in Tennessee. The lawmaker told his colleagues that he's committed to the proposition that medical marijuana is a medication that helps people with many ailments.

Dickerson promised to be back next year with a more permissive bill that would allow for the growing, processing, dispensing, regulation, and taxation of cannabis.

Over the objections of law enforcement and health officials, a second House committee approved a bill Wednesday that would legally allow some Tennesseans to use medical cannabis. 

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Crosby, would give those suffering from roughly a dozen maladies a legal defense if they are arrested and prosecuted for having cannabis, provided they have a doctor’s note prescribing the product.

The House Criminal Justice Committee advanced the legislation with a 9-2 vote. 

Some Tennesseans traveled as far as two hours away from home to share why medical marijuana would help their illnesses Wednesday, but lawmakers ran out of time during a committee hearing.

After hearing some arguments against it, the bill’s sponsor Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, said he feels health and law enforcement agencies aren’t focused on the lives could save.

“That whole notion that this is a schedule one drug, you are a special kind of ignorant human being if you think this is still a Schedule I drug. That means there is no value to human life,” said Faison.

Andrea Houser traveled from Lawrenceburg, TN, to describe life with epilepsy. She‘s in favor of medical cannabis.

Melody Cashion rattles off the list of drugs she once needed just to function.

Lyrica, Gabapentin, methadone, oxycodone, valium.

There were more. But those were the every day ones.

The drugs stemmed the pain from a genetic nerve disorder, a disease the 44-year-old, Marshall County woman has struggled with since childhood. They allowed her to have something resembling a normal life, but she was often in a zombie-like state — and that was better than the alternative.

"If I missed a dose, I would get sick," she recalls. "If I tried to stop, I would get sick. I ended up in the hospital several times."

The withdrawal symptoms were causing her to vomit and get dehydrated.

When talking about the fastest-growing industries in North America, marijuana is often near or at the top of the list.

According to recently released data from cannabis research firm ArcView, in partnership with BDS Analytics, the legal weed industry in North America is projected to grow by a whopping 28% per year through 2021.

If accurate, the legal pot industry could be generating nearly $25 billion in sales by 2021.

It's an industry where favorability has shifted dramatically over a relatively short period of time, too.

In 1995, national pollster Gallup found that only a quarter of its survey respondents favored the idea of legalizing marijuana.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially said these products were illegally derived from marijuana, but later admitted that their tests could not support this claim.

Tennessee law enforcement have dismissed all charges against local stores accused of selling CBD edibles that were allegedly "laced with marijuana." Last month, a task force of local, state, and federal law enforcement launched "Operation Candy Crush," raiding 23 stores in Rutherford County and seizing CBD edibles.

A pair of Nashville Democrats are sponsoring a bill that would create a legal defense for people caught with limited amounts of marijuana, provided it is for medical purposes.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Yarbro and Rep. Harold Love, would allow those suffering from a host of medical conditions, including cancer and glaucoma, to possess no more than one ounce of marijuana.

Yarbro said the measure is necessary because the legislature has failed to craft rules for medical marijuana on a statewide basis. 

"At the very least, people who are using marijuana to treat chronic illness and make their lives possible shouldn't live under the constant threat of being arrested," he said recently. 

Scientific evidence confirming the medicinal properties of cannabis is getting harder and harder to ignore, and even conservative, Republican-dominated states are beginning to show support for medical marijuana.

This week, Republican legislators in Tennessee proposed a bill to legalize oil-based medical marijuana, and on the very same day a Nebraska state senator proposed a ballot measure to let the state vote on allowing medical cannabis.

The number of Americans who are in favor of legalizing marijuana continues to increase. A new Pew Research Survey says 6 out of 10 Americans now support the measure. Buzz60

Rep. Jeremy Faison and Sen. Steve Dickerson have introduced a bill that would allow a limited version of medical cannabis in Tennessee.(Photo: File/ USA TODAY)

Two Republicans introduced a bill Thursday that would make Tennessee the latest state to allow medical marijuana. 

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, and Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, would only allow oil-based manufactured products, such as pills or lotions, and would not permit the sale of raw cannabis, also known as marijuana, as is common in other states.