Two Tennessee House Committees Pass Measure to Reduce Cannabis Penalty
A bill to reduce the penalty for possessing between half an ounce, and an ounce of cannabis has been passed by two House committees in Tennessee.
House Bill 109 was passed recently through both the House Criminal Justice Committee, and the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. It’s been referred to the Calendar and Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives.
Under current Tennessee law, possessing up to half an ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Possessing over that amount is a felony punishable by up to six years in jail (this increases if more than 10 pounds is possessed). House Bill 109 would amend the law to make the more minor offense apply to possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, rather than just half an ounce. Possessing over an ounce would remain a felony.
House Bill 109 was introduced by Representative Antonio Parkinson (D). The full text of the measure can be found by clicking here.