House amends medical cannabis commission membership, clarifies advisory role

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee House on the floor approved legislation to change the makeup and role of the state's Medical Cannabis Commission, removing a requirement that each grand division be represented and allowing caregivers to serve as commissioners.

Supporters said the changes are intended to resolve quorum problems that have hindered the commission's work and to prepare for possible federal rescheduling of cannabis. Chairman Jeremy Terry moved the bill and explained the measure "expands the eligibility to serve on the medical cannabis commission to caregivers, and section 2 clarifies that the commission can make policy recommendations." He told members that if federal action prompts changes in 2026 the commission's recommendations would inform follow-up legislation.

The House committee amendment matched the Senate amendment and was withdrawn on the floor. Chairman Terry said the state currently classifies medical cannabis as a Schedule 6 product and that if the federal government reschedules cannabis the commission would be positioned to make recommendations to the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse about how to align state policy for research and other purposes. "We're just trying to decrease the barriers in order to get people on the commission," Terry said, describing the change as intended to ease appointment and quorum challenges.

Opponents questioned whether removing the grand-division requirement would dilute geographic representation. House Leader Lambert (referred to in debate as Leader Camper) argued the alteration could allow meetings to be dominated by appointees located near the capital, saying: "...you could have a situation where everyone comes from Middle Tennessee simply because they can come to a meeting, but you're not getting representation based on the issues that people are dealing with across the state." Terry replied the bill seeks subject-matter experts, patients and caregivers and is meant to reduce barriers to constitute a quorum.

Members also sought assurance the change would not impede the state's ability to legalize or otherwise regulate cannabis should federal rescheduling occur; Terry said it would not. After debate, the House approved Senate Bill 299 on third and final consideration; the clerk recorded the tally as 82 yeas and 2 nays and the presiding officer declared the bill passed.

The bill removes the mandate that appointments reflect each grand division and specifically allows caregivers to be commissioners. Sponsors framed the change as operational: difficulty getting quorum and meeting attendance had limited the commission's work, particularly by patients and caregivers unable to attend meetings.

The measure also tasks the commission with the ability to make policy recommendations to state officials so Tennessee can act quickly if federal scheduling changes. The record shows the House voted to pass the senate bill on third and final consideration; debate and the final tally took place on the House floor.

Looking ahead, backers plan to use the revised commission membership to pursue timely recommendations in the event of federal action on cannabis scheduling.