Rep. Chris Hurt says he wants to ‘legitimize’ the cannabis industry

A Republican lawmaker is seeking to tax and regulate the existing cannabis industry in the state.

Rep. Chris Hurt (R-Halls) filed House Bill 1690 this week. The bill seeks to regulate psychotropic hemp-derived cannabinoids, which include products that have more than 0.1 percent THC. (Current federal regulations limit THC to 0.3 percent.) That includes products containing the newly popular Delta-8 but not pure CBD products, which do not contain THC.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. Since then, 36 states (and four U.S. territories) have followed suit, keeping pace with rapidly evolving policies and attitudes toward cannabis. In addition to the widespread legalization of medical cannabis, 18 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult use.

A fugitive was taken into custody Sunday after officials learned he was wanted across multiple states while he was taken into medical care.

According to an arrest warrant, officers responded to West Trinity Lane after Kenneth Johnson, 29, reported he was feeling ill due to smoking marijuana. Officials said he was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center where he was treated.

During this time, police said a records check of Johnson’s name and social security number showed he had two outstanding failure to appear warrants, and that he was wanted by U.S. Marshals in Arlington, Virginia.

After being discharged from the hospital, police said they searched Johnson and found 7.3 grams of marijuana in his pocket.

He is now faced with four separate charges.

The Clarksville City Council has adopted a resolution that supports the decriminalization of simple possession, or casual exchange, of marijuana for personal use. The resolution also supports access to, and use of, medical marijuana.

The final vote on Thursday, Dec. 2, which included three amendments altering it from the original document presented was 9-1-3.

Not a single Clarksville City Councilmember voted against the measure.

Cannabis was found in two separate buildings on the property, stored in glass jars, plastic bags and large plastic containers, along with 10 guns.

A 33-year-old Amish man has been arrested in Tennessee after police officers discovered cash, guns and 25 pounds (11.3 kilograms) of cannabis on his property.

The cannabis was found in two separate buildings on the property, stored in glass jars, plastic bags and large plastic containers, along with 10 guns.

The state of Tennessee has a rich past — and promising future — with the cash crop

Tennessee has been a hemp state for a lot longer than it hasn’t been one.

The versatile plant was already a major cash crop in the United States by the time Tennessee joined the union in 1796, and pioneer families who’d had success with it brought it across the Applachians from Virginia and the Carolinas. Producing hemp was critical at a time when ships were the primary conveyances of commerce, as its tough fibers are perfect for making sails and lines, and farmers could cash in with both government and private commercial supply contracts.

Tennessee just turned heads in the cannabis world by introducing a 2022 legalization bill. 

The top five cities that are Google searching terms like “state cannabis legalization” are all places where cannabis is completely illegal.