More than 2,600 Tennessee farmers and businesses are licensed to grow hemp or CBD this spring — an increase of more than 1,100% in just one year.

But some experienced farmers say the state's newest cash crop is growing too fast. After years of pioneering Tennessee hemp, they say newcomers might be overextended and unprepared for the pitfalls of the alluring-yet-difficult crop.

“It’s like a new gold rush, and that’s not really a good thing,” said Bill Corbin, a Springfield farmer who is one of the veteran hemp growers in the state. “When that many people come into play so quickly, there are so many naive and gullible growers that are going to sign up with people who will promise them the moon.”

A bill protecting valid medical marijuana cardholders from other states when in Tennessee goes before the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday.

SB260/HB234 would insure medical marijuana patients who are valid cardholders in other states would not be charged if they are found in possession of one-half ounce (14.175 grams) or less. Cardholders would also be okay to distribute under an ounce to another cardholder.

Revelator Coffee Company began serving CBD oil-infused lattes in all four of its Birmingham locations on Monday, and has sold dozens of the drinks in the first two days.

The coffee shop charges $1 to add three drops of CBD oil to a drink. It's featured in the Golden Latte with Relyf CBD oil.

Cannabidiol, or CBD oil, which some people use as a treatment for physical ailments, is made from industrial hemp, which contains a tiny percentage of THC, the intoxicating substance found in marijuana.

CBD oil can also be derived from marijuana and the Alabama Legislature has allowed limited exceptions to the law against marijuana possession for the use of CBD oil.

One state lawmaker said it's time to legalize recreational marijuana in Tennessee.

Recreational, let alone medical marijuana, are not yet legal in Tennessee.

"I think it's bad," said Christine Davis.

"I don't think recreational marijuana is nearly as dangerous as alcohol, which is already legal," said Kevin Papazian.

Sen. Sarah Kyle (D-District 30) of Memphis said now is the time for change. She's sponsoring a bill to legalize recreational marijuana.

"My whole point of bringing a bill to have marijuana available just like any alcohol is available is to have the discussion," said Kyle.

Kyle said the change is necessary for criminal justice reform.

Two marijuana decriminalization bills have been introduced by lawmakers in the Tennessee legislature, according to media reports. One would decriminalize possession of less than one ounce of pot, while the other would protect holders of medical marijuana identification cards from other states. Both bills were sponsored in the Tennessee Senate by Democratic Sen. Sara Kyle and in the House of Representatives by fellow Democrat Rep. Gloria Johnson.

Two state lawmakers in Tennessee announced on Thursday that they plan to introduce a comprehensive medical marijuana legalization bill. Sen. Janice Bowling and Rep. Ron Travis plan to introduce the bill in the coming weeks, according to media reports.

Bowling said in a press release that she believes cannabis can be part of the solution to the nationwide epidemic of opioid overdose deaths.

Nothing has worked as well as cannabis oil in reducing the seizures experienced by this Nashville family's son. The only problem is that Tennessee's strict cannabis laws are making it extremely difficult for their son to reap the benefits of medical marijuana, writes Calvin Hughes. 

A new medical marijuana bill will be proposed in the 2019 legislative session. Its co-sponsor believes the bill has a better chance of passing than in years past. 

State Senator Dr. Steve Dickerson has co-sponsored five medical marijuana bills in the Tennessee legislature. He says this new bill has a better chance at passing, in part because of Governor-Elect Bill Lee. 

Lee has expressed some concern about medical marijuana but also, appears to be open to the prospect. 

"For me, the data is not substantive enough to show that medical marijuana is the right approach right now," Lee said in News 2's Governor's debate with Karl Dean. "But if the people of Tennessee brought that and the data proved it, I would consider signing that bill if it passed." 

Who says money doesn't grow on trees? Just ask some of the growing number of hemp farmers planting in Tennessee.

Many believe hemp is on the verge of becoming the state's next big cash crop. Go to a hemp farm and the plants literally glisten in the warm, fall sun, swaying in the breeze. "This looks like marijuana. It's pretty, isn't it," said grower, Clint Palmer.

It's hemp, and at long last many believe this is heir apparent to Tennessee tobacco. The crop is mature and ready for harvest.  "Is this the next big cash crop?" NewsChannel 5's Nick Beres asked. "One hundred percent, no way around it," said Palmer.