But Tenn. GOP Lends No Support NASHVILLE - Tennesseans who want to curb their nausea, seizures or chronic pain with marijuana are hoping a cultural shift makes the prospect of passing a state measure move from laughable to possible. Past medical marijuana bills gained little traction, and House and Senate sponsors of the last bill, proposed in 2012, lost re-election bids. But five states have joined the ranks of those offering medical marijuana since then, the most recent being New York, whose governor this month launched a policy by executive order. That brings the total to 21 states - including traditionally conservative Arizona - and the District of Columbia, all with different fee structures and possession limits. [continues 562 words]
Shifting Attitudes Give Supporters Hope That Tennessee Is Ready to Pass a Bill Tennesseans who want to curb their nausea, seizures or chronic pain with marijuana instead of medication are hoping a cultural shift makes the prospect of passing a state measure move from laughable to possible. Past medical marijuana bills gained little traction, and House and Senate sponsors of the last bill, proposed in 2012, lost re-election bids. But five states have joined the ranks of those offering medical marijuana since then, the most recent being New York, whose governor this month launched a policy by executive order. That brings the total to 21 states - including traditionally conservative Arizona - and the District of Columbia, all with different fee structures and possession limits. [continues 860 words]
HIALEAH -- Osmel Cuan remembers his first toke. He was a Hialeah High sophomore then, it was junior varsity basketball season, and Cuan decided to blow off a big game in favor of trying marijuana. Obtaining it was simple: Ask a friend, buy some rolling papers, hunker down in a grove of trees behind an apartment complex and light up. After two joints, Cuan, now 16 and a junior, ambled inside his apartment to face his mother. "I wanted to 'fess up to Mom that I did it," he said. "She kind of laughed it off and drove my friends home, but later she started crying and said she didn't raise me like that. [continues 361 words]
