Senate Bill 489, known as the "Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act," establishes a regulated framework for the access and use of medical cannabis for patients with qualifying medical conditions in Tennessee. The bill creates the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Program Commission, which will oversee the licensing and regulation of cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis. It outlines the requirements for obtaining a medical cannabis card, including proof of residency and certification from a healthcare provider, and establishes a patient registry system. The commission is tasked with implementing necessary rules and regulations by January 1, 2026, and ensuring that compliant activities related to medical cannabis do not violate state laws.

The bill also details the licensing process for medical cannabis operations, including the issuance of provisional licenses and the establishment of a taxation structure for medical cannabis sales. It mandates the development of a track and trace system to monitor cannabis from cultivation to sale, and outlines specific requirements for labeling, testing, and security measures at licensed premises. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for cultivation and production classifications, restrictions on financial interests in cannabis operations, and allows for paper filings and cash payments for taxes. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, with full implementation scheduled for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-29-248