Tennessee needs statewide cannabis research
There is not much data in Tennessee regarding how the public feels about legalizing cannabis. However, it would bring money and jobs to the state.
A few weeks have passed since Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.), via Sens. Corey Booker (D-N.J.) and Ron Wyden (D- Ore.), introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Limits do exist, but this bill would effectively decriminalize cannabis and remove it from the federal controlled substance list. The Southeastern part of the U.S. has a longstanding history against legalizing cannabis. Tennessee is firmly included in the opposition. Cannabis is everywhere in the state — like it is everywhere else — but it's still taboo.
A designated budget for statewide cannabis research would emphasize the established medical advantages to using cannabis as a treatment for patients with conditions including cancer, schizophrenia, epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder. Potentially harmful ways of dealing with acute or chronic pain — particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl — are much more common here. However, there is a silver lining. The BMJ, a global health care knowledge provider, released a study in January that suggests opening one medical dispensary in a county could decrease opioid overdoses by an average of 17%. The conclusion is that medical and recreational storefront dispensaries are associated with reduced opioid-related death rates.
Money and jobs
What about the money? Tennessee's sales tax and population are comparable to those of Washington state. In 2014, Washington's tax revenue from cannabis sales reflected only the third and fourth fiscal quarters, but the state still made a profit of $22.4 million in six months. In 2015, Washington's first full year of cannabis-generated tax revenue yielded nearly $160 million. The amount continues to increase.
How about jobs? Cannabis resource and marketplace Leafly reports that legal cannabis supports a record-high 321,000 full-time American jobs across 37 states. The industry added 77,300 jobs in the last year, a record 32% increase, and is creating jobs faster than any other American trade.
What do Tennesseans think?
One major obstacle remains: There is not much data in Tennessee regarding how the public feels about the subject. I created a personal survey that consisted of only four questions:
1. Do you support federal decriminalization of cannabis?
2. Would you support Tennessee legalizing medicinal cannabis?
3. Would you support Tennessee legalizing recreational cannabis?
4. If you vote, do you lean more conservative or liberal?
The survey was conducted in two locations: Middle Tennessee State University and the town square in Murfreesboro. The results are interesting:
• Seventy people answered yes when asked if cannabis should be decriminalized.
• Fifty-seven people believed medicinal cannabis should be legal.
• Less than half — 45 — of those surveyed believed recreational cannabis should be legal. This makes sense because of a lack of research on recreational drawbacks. Thankfully, plenty of data about cannabis's medical benefits exists.
• Most people were unwilling to reveal their political affiliations. Yet for those who answered, there seemed to be a balance: 31 conservative, 34 liberal and 40 who did not want to share which way they lean politically.
I love Tennessee. I love my home. From the majesty of Appalachia to the soulful blues in Memphis, this is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. All I want is its betterment. Tennessee possesses immense potential for economic growth. Natural resources are copious, and there is no lack of people wanting employment. Let us at least start to consider these elements so we can begin to have intelligent conversations. It is up to us to let go of Democratic or Republican, lred or blue and liberal or conservative labels, and try to create an understanding of something that would bring more benefits than harm to Tennesseans.
Chase Larkins is a freelance writer and proofreader in Murfreesboro.