AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, relative to non-binding, advisory referenda.
Summary
HB1370 requires each county election commission to place three marijuana-related advisory questions on the November 2026 ballot. The questions ask voters whether Tennessee should legalize medical marijuana, decriminalize possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and legalize and regulate commercial recreational marijuana sales. The measure is expressly non-binding, meaning the results would not directly change the law but would serve as a statewide public opinion survey on marijuana policy.
The bill also directs the secretary of state to compile the referendum results, publish them on the secretary of state’s website, and send them to every member of the General Assembly. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law. Because the bill is framed as an advisory referendum rather than a substantive legalization measure, its main function is to inform lawmakers and the public about voter sentiment on cannabis policy.
Impact
HB1370 would amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, by adding a statewide advisory referendum process for the November 2026 election. It would not itself legalize medical marijuana, decriminalize possession, or authorize recreational sales; instead, it would require election officials to present those policy questions to voters and require the secretary of state to report the results. The practical impact is to create an official statewide record of voter preferences that could influence future legislation on marijuana policy and related criminal, medical, and regulatory statutes.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text alone and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, the available context suggests a neutral procedural approach rather than a contested policy enactment. The bill is designed to gauge public opinion on marijuana legalization and decriminalization, which typically attracts interest from both reform advocates and opponents, but no formal committee debate or vote history is provided here to show organized support or opposition. As drafted, the measure appears intended to facilitate discussion and legislative guidance rather than to settle the underlying marijuana policy questions.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the three marijuana policy questions themselves: medical marijuana legalization, decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, and legalization of commercial recreational sales. Supporters of cannabis reform would likely favor the referendum as a way to measure voter support and build momentum for future legislation, while opponents may object to placing these questions on the ballot or to the policy direction they represent. A secondary point of contention could be whether a non-binding referendum is an appropriate use of the election ballot and state resources, since the measure would not directly change Tennessee law.