AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, relative to non-binding, advisory referenda.
Summary
SB0960 requires each county election commission to place three marijuana-related questions on the November 2026 ballot as a non-binding, advisory referendum. The questions ask whether Tennessee should legalize medical marijuana, decriminalize possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and legalize and regulate commercial recreational marijuana sales.
The bill does not itself change Tennessee’s marijuana laws. Instead, it directs the Secretary of State to collect the statewide results, publish them online, and send them to each member of the General Assembly. The measure is designed to gauge public opinion and provide lawmakers with voter input before considering future cannabis policy changes.
Impact
SB0960 amends Title 2 of the Tennessee Code Annotated by creating a one-time statewide advisory referendum process for marijuana policy questions. It would require county election commissions to add the questions to the November 2026 ballot and would impose administrative duties on the Secretary of State to compile and disseminate the results. Because the referendum is expressly non-binding, it would not legalize, decriminalize, or regulate marijuana by itself, but it could influence future legislation affecting patients, adult-use consumers, law enforcement, and the cannabis industry.
Sentiment
The bill appears to be framed as a public-opinion measure rather than a direct policy change, which may make it more palatable to lawmakers who want voter input before acting on marijuana reform. With no recorded committee discussion or votes provided, there is no documented formal support or opposition in the available materials. The structure of the bill suggests an effort to test statewide sentiment on medical, decriminalized, and recreational cannabis policy.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the three marijuana policy questions themselves: medical marijuana legalization, decriminalization of small amounts, and legalization of commercial recreational sales. Supporters would likely view the referendum as a democratic way to inform future reform, while opponents may object to placing cannabis questions on the ballot, especially the recreational sales question, due to concerns about public health, youth access, enforcement, and broader legalization. Because the referendum is advisory only, some may also question whether the administrative effort is worthwhile if it does not directly change the law.