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Commissioners debate medical cannabis amendment to Montgomery County 2025 legislative agenda; amendment fails
Summary
Montgomery County commissioners debated whether to add the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act to the county's 2025 legislative agenda. An amendment to include the issue failed 9-11; the overall legislative agenda passed 20-0.
Montgomery County commissioners debated including medical cannabis in the county's 2025 legislative agenda during their Jan. 13 meeting. An amendment to add language asking the General Assembly to consider the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act failed 9-11; commissioners then approved the legislative agenda as originally written, 20-0.
The discussion began after the commission took up Resolution 2512, the item that adopts the county's 2025 legislative priorities. Commissioner Shelton moved to add specific language directing the county to seek amendments related to the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act; Commissioner Beale seconded the motion to amend. "This is something that our veterans need," Commissioner Shelton said during remarks supporting the amendment. Shelton framed the proposal as a response to opioid reduction efforts and said medical cannabis could help people with chronic pain.
Commissioner Leverett, who identified himself as chair of the legislative liaison committee, urged more committee deliberation and stakeholder outreach before placing the issue on the county's formal agenda. "For us to put this, last minute on the legislative agenda, it lacks adequate deliberation," Leverett said, saying the committee should consult law enforcement, the health department and other stakeholders, including military partners such as Fort Campbell.
Commissioner Burkholder opposed the amendment and suggested the timing was wrong, citing concerns about impaired driving and the potential for the issue to expand into recreational use. A separate motion by Commissioner Harbor to defer the entire resolution to the Feb. 10 meeting also failed, 3-17.
After debate, the proposed amendment to add medical cannabis to the legislative agenda failed on a roll call, 9 yes, 11 no. The commission then voted to adopt Resolution 2512 as presented, 20 yes, 0 no.
The commission also noted that members planned meetings with state legislators immediately after the session; Commissioners said the Legislative Liaison Committee will meet with members of the General Assembly in the coming days to review priorities.
Actions recorded in the meeting show the commission considered the amendment and the deferral before adopting the original agenda without the medical cannabis language.
