Legislation to legalize marijuana in Tennessee for medial purposes died for another year on Wednesday, but supporters say they’ll be trying again next year.
The bill (HB294) was the subject of a limited hearing Wednesday in the Senate Government Operations Committee, which cannot kill legislation but gave the measure by Sen. Beverly Marrero, D-Memphis, a negative recommendation.
From there, the bill goes to the Senate Health Committee. But that panel has closed for the 2012 session. That means the measure is dead, but House Health Committee Chairman Glen Casada, R-College Grove, nonetheless allowed a discussion of the bill in his committee later in the day. The House sponsor, Democratic Rep. Jeanne Richardson of Memphis, then took the bill “off notice,” also meaning she’s abandoned the effort for this year.
Richardson, who because of redistricting faces a tough challenge to reelection, said she was confident the medical marijuana bill would be back next year with a better-than-ever chance – with or without her as a sponsor.