Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2514: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, deletes the offense of carrying a firearm or a club with the intent to go armed, prohibits the carrying of a firearm or weapon inside of a K-12 public or private school and on a school bus if the person's intent is to go armed and the school and the bus are posted in a certain manner; deletes the offense of carrying a firearm on the property of a university, college campus, and other public or private non-K-12 educational institutions or property; rewrites the offense of possessing a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance or controlled substance analogue; rewrites the offense of carrying weapons during judicial proceedings; makes various other changes related to firearms. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 55 and Title 65.

HB 2514 revises Tennessee's firearms laws by removing the offense of carrying a firearm "with intent to go armed" in K-12 schools, school buses, and university properties (when posted). It prohibits carrying firearms in K-12 schools/buses if the person intends to go armed, while eliminating similar restrictions for universities and colleges. The bill also rewrites rules around handgun possession while intoxicated, adds new definitions for "firearm" and "deadly force," and creates a legal presumption that threatening deadly force to defend property against unlawful entry is justified. It establishes immunity from prosecution for using justified force, including displaying weapons, unless the person knew the individual was a law enforcement officer or caused injury to an innocent bystander. These changes directly affect individuals carrying firearms in schools, campuses, or during property disputes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill deletes offense of carrying firearm 'with intent to go armed' on university properties, reducing criminalization. Aligns with reform goal of limiting over-criminalization.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2372: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to the offense of adulteration of food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 57.

SB 2372 expands Tennessee's criminal code to treat adulterating food, drinks, or pharmaceuticals with intent to cause involuntary intoxication as a Class D felony. It directly affects individuals who intentionally spike beverages to incapacitate others and requires bars, restaurants, and alcohol licensees to provide free, rapid drug testing devices for customers to check suspected spiked drinks. The bill mandates that testing devices detect at least 10 controlled substances and 2 date rape drugs within 5 minutes, must be readily available upon request, and must be posted prominently. Licensees are protected from liability for inaccurate test results. This law aims to address beverage tampering by imposing felony penalties and creating a safety mechanism for patrons at alcohol-serving venues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class D felony for spiking drinks and mandates testing devices to prevent victimization, enhancing legal protections against a specific criminal act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2533: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires the Tennessee opioid abatement council to allocate funds held in the opioid abatement fund in a certain manner. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 41.

SB 2533, known as "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional personnel to undergo annual training on criteria for involuntary mental health admissions. It mandates the POST commission and Tennessee corrections institute to develop guidelines and training materials covering both emergency and nonemergency involuntary admissions to inpatient treatment. The bill directly affects all law enforcement officers and correctional staff in Tennessee, requiring them to complete this training annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 38-8-101, 41-7-101, and 33-6-401.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health training for law enforcement to reduce unnecessary arrests and improve crisis handling, a criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual training for law enforcement on mental health admission criteria, improving crisis response protocols for inpatient treatment access under Tennessee's involuntary admission system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2440: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires TACIR to study and prepare a report on marijuana arrests made in this state from 2015 to 2025, including data on race, age, gender, and the location of arrest. - Amends TCA Title 4.

HB 2440 requires Tennessee's TACIR (Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) to study all state marijuana arrests from 2015 to 2025. The study must collect demographic details (race, age, gender) and arrest locations, using existing state resources. TACIR must submit a report with findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 31, 2027. This bill does not change marijuana laws but mandates a data review to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates study of racial disparities in marijuana arrests to inform future reform, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like addressing systemic bias through data collection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2440: Controlled Substances - As introduced, enacts the "Pot for Potholes Act"; establishes a regulatory structure for the cultivation, processing, and retail sale of marijuana and marijuana products in this state to be administered by the department of agriculture. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 29; Title 33; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 43; Title 45; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 63; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2440, the "Pot for Potholes Act," establishes a regulatory framework for legal marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail sales in Tennessee, administered by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects licensed businesses (growers, processors, retailers) and adults aged 21+ who can purchase marijuana products. Key provisions include requiring child-resistant packaging, batch tracking for safety, restrictions near community facilities like parks and schools, and mandating that tax revenue fund road repairs (the "potholes" reference). The bill amends multiple state code titles to create licensing requirements, safety standards, and definitions for cannabis products like edibles and concentrates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTitle 'Pot for Potholes' implies marijuana tax revenue funds road repairs (infrastructure), directly linking tax collection to public service funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes marijuana regulation, reducing criminalization of possession and aligning with reform efforts to decrease arrests and shift focus from punishment to regulated commerce.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill title 'Pot for Potholes Act' explicitly links marijuana tax revenue to pothole repairs, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2479: Agriculture - As introduced, enacts the "Freedom to Farm Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4; Title 40 and Title 43.

HB 2479, the "Freedom to Farm Act," would allow Tennessee adults aged 21+ to grow marijuana for personal use under strict limits. Registered adults could cultivate up to 15 plants (max 5 mature flowering plants) at home, store no more than 16 ounces of dried trim, and use related paraphernalia, all while keeping cultivation locked and out of public view. The bill explicitly excludes concentrates, oils, and commercial activity, requiring registration with the Department of Agriculture ($100 fee, 3-year validity) and prohibiting use near minors. It does not change existing laws regarding marijuana concentrates or recreational sales, and remains pending before the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes personal marijuana cultivation, reducing criminal penalties for possession/cultivation - key criminal justice reform measure aligning with decriminalization indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 2549: Opioids - As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

SB 2549 allows healthcare providers who subcontract through contracted vendors with Tennessee's Department of Correction (or county/municipal jails) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, provided specific criteria are met. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 53-11-311 and related provisions to enable this practice in correctional healthcare settings. It directly affects medical staff working within prison or jail healthcare systems by expanding their ability to use buprenorphine - a medication for opioid addiction - under defined conditions. The law would take effect upon enactment, modifying how opioid treatment is delivered in state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through expanded medical care in prisons.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, improving patient access to evidence-based care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2097: Election Laws - As introduced, requires the secretary of state to direct each county election commission to place a ballot question on the ballot for the November general election in 2026 asking voters whether this state should legalize the sale, possession, and use of medical cannabis. - Amends TCA Title 2.

SB 2097 requires Tennessee's secretary of state to place a specific ballot question on the November 2026 general election ballot asking voters whether the state should legalize medical cannabis sales, possession, and use. This directly affects all Tennessee voters who will cast a yes/no vote on the issue. The bill mandates that county election commissions include the question in the standard ballot format with clear "YES" or "NO" options. Results of this non-binding vote will be reported to the state legislature but will not automatically change state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables voter approval of medical cannabis legalization, reducing criminalization of possession - a key criminal justice reform goal.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 1954: Opioids - As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

HB 1954 would allow healthcare providers working with correctional facilities to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, expanding current rules. It specifically modifies Tennessee law to include providers subcontracted through healthcare vendors contracted with the Department of Correction or county/municipal jails, provided other specified criteria are met. The bill amends Sections 53-11-311 and 63 of Tennessee Code to enable this expanded access within correctional healthcare settings. The bill is currently in committee review (as of February 2026) and has not yet become law. It directly affects correctional healthcare providers and incarcerated individuals receiving opioid treatment in Tennessee facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through healthcare intervention within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities by allowing subcontracted providers, improving patient access to evidence-based care per healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2062: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the amount of marijuana that may be possessed, from one-half ounce to five ounces, for it to be considered a small amount of marijuana and punishable as a Class A misdemeanor; revises penalty to make it punishable by a $500 fine for a first offense and a $1,000 fine for a second or subsequent offense. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 2062 raises Tennessee's legal threshold for marijuana possession that triggers a Class A misdemeanor from 1/2 ounce to 5 ounces. For first-time possession of less than 5 ounces, the penalty would be a $500 fine; repeat offenses would incur a $1,000 fine. This bill directly affects individuals possessing marijuana between 1/2 ounce and 5 ounces, which previously faced misdemeanor charges at the lower threshold. The changes, effective July 1, 2026, apply to Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-418 and § 39-17-417.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces criminalization of small-scale marijuana possession by raising legal threshold and lowering fines, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing minor offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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