This year’s elections will be key to whether Tennessee finally elects a legislature and a governor who is willing to pass medical cannabis legislation, decriminalization, or a legalization law. In the governor’s race, legalization supporter Jerri Green (D) is squaring off against prohibitionist candidate Marsha Blackburn (R). Meanwhile, every seat in the state House of Representatives and half of the state Senate are on the ballot. The results will be crucial to whether — and how — Tennessee cannabis policy evolves.
To help inform voters, MPP and Tennessee NORML have created this voting guide, where we ranked General Assembly candidates based on their support for creating a medical cannabis program, decriminalization, as well as legalization. It also includes comments — and sponsorship — for some candidates who support adult-use legalization. The voter guide includes information from incumbents’ voting record on medical cannabis, bill sponsorship, and replies to our candidate survey.
Here are the questions we asked legislative candidates:
You can find your Tennessee state Senate and House district here. You can find your sample ballot and confirm your status as a voter here. Monday, October 5th is the last day to register to vote in the 2026 general election. Early voting begins October 14-29th (No Sunday voting).
Background: Tennessee is one of only nine states that does not have a medical cannabis, decriminalization, or adult-use legalization law.
Jerri Green (D)
State of Tennessee
A current City Councilperson for the city of Memphis. She wants to legalize and regulate both medical and adult-use cannabis to support programs to help people suffering from opiate addiction. She has also voiced support for taxing and regulating hemp products.
Supports Medical Cannabis
We should legalize marijuana medicinally, and as Governor, I would support enacting a medical cannabis program in Tennessee. The responsible legalization and regulation of marijuana will reduce reliance on opioids and support adults who use these products for medical purposes as recommended by their doctors.
Supports Legal Protections
Yes, Tennessee can protect public safety while still allowing for use of marijuana. Medical cannabis should be treated like any other legally prescribed, controlled medication. Employees, caregivers, and property renters should not face discrimination or termination for off-duty, legal use that does not affect their workplace performance or safety.
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Yes, Tennessee can protect public safety while still allowing for use of marijuana. Medical cannabis should be treated like any other legally prescribed, controlled medication. Employees, caregivers, and property renters should not face discrimination or termination for off-duty, legal use that does not affect their workplace performance or safety.
Supports Legal Market
Over 60% of Tennesseans support legalizing marijuana. States like Massachusetts are generating nearly $300M a year in cannabis tax revenue. Meanwhile, in Tennessee we continue to move backwards. Also notable, the GOP supermajority has blocked legalization while gutting our local hemp industry. As Governor, I will advocate to legalize and regulate marijuana to create jobs, fund pothole repair (as an example, see Representative Aftyn Behn’s Pot for Potholes bill), reduce reliance on opioids, and fix a broken justice system that unfairly targets Black communities. We should regulate hemp responsibly - not regulate small businesses out of existence. We should require testing, child-resistant packaging, age verification, and accurate labeling, but not wipe out Tennessee farmers, family-owned businesses, and adults who responsibly use these products to manage pain. Tennessee can protect public safety without crushing an entire industry. We don't need to ask everyday Tennesseans to pay more - we just need leadership that makes corporations pay their fair share and puts public dollars to good use. I support Senator Heidi Campbell and Representative Aftyn Behn’s Pot for Potholes Act that would inject $270 million annually into Tennessee’s massive infrastructure backlog while providing a lucrative new cash crop for tariff-squeezed local farmers.
Marsha Blackburn (R)
State of Tennessee
The current United States Senator of Tennessee. She is firmly opposed to any efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis. In 2018, she stated that she is “open” to reviewing data on the efficacy of medical cannabis. As a U.S. Senator, she signed her opposition to President Trump’s rescheduling of cannabis. She stated the move was “irresponsible.”
Does Not Support Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Legal Protections
Does Not Support Reducing to Civil Fine
Does Not Support Legal Market
Angela Wynn (D)
District 13
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
David Hardy (D)
District 27
Supports Medical Cannabis
I feel that our educated scientist and doctors should be able to study and prescribe the appropriate treatments for patients. This includes cannabis for a number of science backed medical treatments.
Supports Legal Protections
I feel that our community should have access to the appropriate treatments and prescriptions to safely ensure their health and quality of life and that there should be safeguards in place to allow for this treatment.
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
I feel that the criminal penalties of adult possession of cannabis are very damaging to our communities and should be re-evaluated and reduced. I feel that the juvenile/minor possession of cannabis should be handled similar to how we treat possession of alcohol or tobacco.
Supports Legal Market
Illegal and unregulated markets have proven to be dangerous to our communities across all substances. I would support legislation for the safe regulation and management of the cannabis market.
Brad Batt (D)
District 6
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Sarah Jayne Della Vecchia (D)
District 7
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Jenny Fowler (D)
District 19
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Maybe Supports Legal Market
I would need to look at the data and be convinced that it was not harmful to the public or addictive. We must be careful to protect the public from addiction, harmful effects of certain drugs, and accidents due to overdose.
Monica Mowdy (D)
District 25
Supports Medical Cannabis
With the economy so hard right now, as well as some folks struggling to afford medication and adding to that the opioid abuse we still face the best answer is medical marijuana.
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Nathan Denton (D)
District 26
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Art Rymer (D)
District 30
Supports Medical Cannabis
I'd actually like to see more than this, however.
Supports Legal Protections
I'd actually like to see more than this, however.
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
I support full decriminalization/legalization of cannabis - no penalties whatsoever.
Supports Legal Market
Let's legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis properly.
Michael Woodlee (D)
District 31
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Ali Simpson (D)
District 32
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Trenton Strode (D)
District 42
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Mandy Cook (D)
District 45
Supports Medical Cannabis
My mother was a hospice nurse and had many experiences where cannabis was the only thing to provide relief to her patients.
Supports Legal Protections
With a valid prescription, nobody should face negative consequences for posession or consumption.
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Yes, possession of marijuana without intent to sell or distribute should not be in criminal offense.
Supports Legal Market
Legalizing and Regulating cannabis is how we create a safer infrastructure around a substance that is already being consumed in our state.
Mike Stein (D)
District 47
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Matt Ferry (D)
District 48
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
I support full legalization of medical and recreational cannabis.
Connie Casha (D)
District 49
Supports Medical Cannabis
Any medical decisions made between a physician and the patient should provide for the needs of the patient. A physician takes the oath of do no harm and would provide responsible medical treatment.
Supports Legal Protections
No registered patient with a prescription for medical use of marijuana should be fearful of retribution from their employer, rental or home owners association or custody questions,
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Illegal possession of modest amounts of cannabis should be a civil fine and nothing more. The lives of too many people have been negatively impacted with little chance of removing a criminal offense for marijuana possession. Repeat offenders may face stiffer fines or penalities.
Supports Legal Market
A Vanderbilt poll of Tennesseans In November/December 2024 found 63% in favor of legalizing marijuana in Tennessee. State legislators should listen to their constituents and bring forth legislation that supports the will of the people.
Mark Proctor (D)
District 59
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Craig D'Apolito (D)
District 64
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Julian Pierre-Griffin (D)
District 65
Supports Medical Cannabis
Needs More Information Regarding Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Modest amount would need to be defined
Maybe Supports Legal Market
Tamara Bavendam (D)
District 66
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Matt Day (D)
District 71
Supports Medical Cannabis
A pillar of my campaign is affordable and accessible healthcare, of which medical cannabis is a part.
Supports Legal Protections
No should lose there job, home, or custody over medical cannabis.
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Tennessee needs to shift incarceration away from victimless crimes.
Supports Legal Market
Margaret Price (D)
District 83
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
HB0872
Comprehensive medical cannabis
Sponsored by Iris Rudder (R)
Died without Committee Hearing
Co-sponsored by Shaundelle Brooks (D), Vincent Dixie (D), Jeremy Faison (R), Andrew Farmer (R), Bob Freeman (D), Ronnie Glynn (D), Torrey Harris (D), Caleb Hemmer (D), Gloria Johnson (D), Sam McKenzie (D), Larry Miller (D), Bo Mitchell (D), Jason Powell (D), Jay Reedy (R), Gabby Salinas (D), Joe Towns (D),
HB1972
Changes state law that would mandate state act if cannabis rescheduled
Sponsored by Andrew Farmer (R), William Lamberth (R), Mike Sparks (R)
Signed into law
HB1996
Legal protections for certified medical cannabis patients
Sponsored by Johnny Shaw (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
HB228
Would have put a medical cannabis question on the 2026 ballot
Sponsored by Chris Hurt (R)
Died without Committee Hearing
Co-sponsored by Shaundelle Brooks (D), Vincent Dixie (D), Jeremy Faison (R), Andrew Farmer (R), Bob Freeman (D), Ronnie Glynn (D), Torrey Harris (D), Caleb Hemmer (D), Gloria Johnson (D), Sam McKenzie (D), Larry Miller (D), Bo Mitchell (D), Jason Powell (D), Jay Reedy (R), Gabby Salinas (D), Joe Towns (D)
SB0489
Comprehensive Medical Cannabis
Sponsored by Janice Bowling (R)
Died without Committee Hearing
SB1165
Would have put a non binding referendum on medical cannabis
Sponsored by Raumesh Akberi (R)
Died without Committee Hearing
HB1996
Would have made possession of under one ounce an misdemeanor, with no custodial arrest and a fine of $100
Sponsored by Johnny Shaw (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
SB2571
Would have made possession of under one ounce an misdemeanor, with no custodial arrest and a fine of $100
Sponsored by Page Walley (R)
Died without Committee Hearing
HB HB 981
Comprehensive Legalization Bill
Sponsored by Larry Miller (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
HB 2479
No regulated sales ; personal possession and limited home grow rights
Sponsored by Antonio Parkinson (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
SB 2486
no regulated sales ; personal possession and limited home grow rights
Sponsored by Janice Bowling (R)
Died without Committee Hearing
SB 923
No regulated sales ; personal possession and limited home grow rights
Sponsored by Heidi Campbell (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
SB 809
No regulated sales ; personal possession and limited home grow rights
Sponsored by Jeff Yarbro (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
HB0703
Comprehensive Legalization Bill
Sponsored by Aftyn Behn (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
SB2440
Comprehensive Legalization Bill
Sponsored by Heidi Campbell (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
SB0291
Comprehensive Legalization Bill
Sponsored by Heidi Campbell (D)
Died without Committee Hearing
HB2525
Comprehensive Legalization Bill
Sponsored by Aftyn Behn (D)
Died without Committee Hearing