Tennessee Medical CBD / Low-THC Law

(Updated 2025)

1. 1. Introduction

Tennessee has a limited medical cannabis law that allows the possession of CBD-rich, low-THC cannabis oil for certain qualifying medical conditions. The law, first passed in 2014 and expanded in later years, does not allow home cultivation, state-licensed dispensaries, or comprehensive medical marijuana access.

Patients must obtain qualifying cannabis oil containing no more than 0.9% THC from sources outside the state, as no legal in-state supply chain exists.

1. 2. Quick Facts – Tennessee CBD Program

1. 3. Qualifying Conditions

Patients diagnosed with the following conditions may legally possess CBD oil in Tennessee:

• • Intractable seizures
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Cancer
  • Recalcitrant nausea and vomiting
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Epilepsy or seizure disorders
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  • Sickle cell disease

1. 4. Patient Possession Rules

• • Cannabis oil must contain no more than 0.9% THC.
  • No explicit possession weight limit is stated, but the product must meet the chemical requirements to qualify for legal protection.
  • Law applies only to qualifying patients — all other cannabis possession remains illegal.

1. 5. Legal Protections & Limitations

• • Tennessee law provides an affirmative defense in court for qualifying patients in possession of compliant CBD oil.
  • There is no state-run registry or ID card program for patients.
  • No legal in-state production or retail outlets — patients must obtain products from outside Tennessee, creating potential legal risks in transport.

1. 6. Home Cultivation

• • Prohibited for all patients and caregivers.

1. 7. Licensed Dispensaries

• • None — Tennessee does not operate or license medical cannabis dispensaries.

1. 8. Caregivers

• • No caregiver provisions are included in the current law.

1. 9. Reciprocity

• • Tennessee does not recognize medical cannabis programs or cards from other states.

1. 10. Program Overview

• • Law Signed: 2014
  • Regulatory Authority: None designated for distribution or sales
  • Estimated Registered Patients: No registry maintained

1. 11. Key Considerations for Patients

• • Access is strictly limited to low-THC CBD oil meeting the 0.9% THC limit.
  • No formal patient registry or licensed supply chain exists in Tennessee.
  • All possession outside the law’s limits is treated as illegal cannabis possession under state law.

1. 12. Resources & References

• • NORML – Tennessee: norml.org/laws/tennessee
  • State Law: Tennessee Medical CBD/Low-THC Law (2014)