News

Should TN legalize medical marijuana?

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The “Medical Cannabis Only Act of 2018” requires all qualifying patients to be registered through an online verification system. Patients will have to present their registration card before making a purchase. If the bill is passed, cannabis establishments and law enforcement will be able to tell how much product the patient is allowed, how much they’ve purchased for the month and where the product was purchased. Once they reach their distribution limit for the month, patients will not be allowed to purchase until the next month. If they obtain more than the allotted amount, criminal drug possession charges will apply.

Lawmakers in Tennessee are proposing a bill to legalize the use of medicinal cannabis oil for qualifying patients. Do you support this bill? Why or why not?

“I think that is perfectly fine to be passed if it is for people who actually need the medicine and not just given out kind of like pain pills and stuff like that are today,” Lexi Smith, freshman, pre-pharmacy.

“I feel like it would be a decent idea to try. It seems like other states have tried it and it’s worked out well, I guess. I feel like it’s not that big of a drastic change. It’s only a little bit and you have to have certain limitations, so I feel like it’d be good,” Corrine Cheatham, sophomore, exercise science.

“I don’t think that it would be such a bad idea. I know there have been studies shown that it especially helps people with cancer feel better. At the same time, I guess people could abuse it but if there are consequences, I feel like it’s not really a bad idea,” Savannah Chastain, junior, pre-veterinary.

“I think this is a good way to regulate it (legal use of marijuana) and medicinal marijuana is a good way to relieve pain in different situations,” Branston Carnahan, freshman, general education.

“I honestly do agree with lawmakers that are trying to put a cap on it. I feel like if someone is actually using it for medicinal purposes, that putting a cap is okay, but

I don’t think you should charge them if they use excess,” Thomas Perez, sophomore, psychology.