Tennessee: Bipartisan and Bicameral Lawmakers File “Freedom to Farm Act” to Legalize Cannabis Cultivation for Everyone 21+
- The “Right to Farm Act,” introduced by Tennessee State Representative Antonio Parkinson (D) and Senator Janice Bowling (R), would allow residents 21 and older to grow cannabis at their private residences.
- House Bill 2479 and Senate Bill 2486 propose a $100 three-year registration with the state Department of Agriculture, permitting up to 15 cannabis plants (with no more than five mature) in a locked, private area, and possession of up to 16 ounces of dried marijuana.
- The proposal includes restrictions such as prohibiting cannabis activities in the presence of minors, requiring secure storage to prevent under-21 access, and allocating surplus registration fees to fund grants for farmers’ markets across Tennessee.
- If passed, the act would take effect on January 1, 2027, amid Tennessee’s current strict marijuana laws, but would not legalize commercial sales or wider decriminalization.
Tennessee State Representative Antonio Parkinson (D) and Senator Janice Bowling (R) have filed the “Right to Farm Act” in their respective chambers. The proposal would allow those 21 and older to grow cannabis at a private residence. House Bill 2479 and Senate Bill 2486 would allow residents 21 and older to register with the state Department of Agriculture for a $100 fee, valid for three years, that would allow them to grow up to 15 plants, with no more than five mature, in a locked, non-public area of their residence. They could possess up to 16 ounces of dried marijuana grown from these plants.
The proposal prohibits activities in the presence of minors and requires secure storage to prevent access by those under 21. Surplus registration fees would fund grants for farmers’ markets across Tennessee’s three grand divisions.
If passed, the act would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, for most purposes.
Tennessee currently classifies marijuana as a Schedule VI controlled substance, with possession punishable by fines and jail time. The proposal comes amid growing national legalization trends, though it stops short of commercial sales or broader decriminalization.