Bill To Decriminalize Possessing, ‘Casually’ Exchanging Small Doses Of Pot Introduced In Tennessee

A Tennessee state legislator introduced a bill this week that would decriminalize the possession and transfer of small amounts of marijuana. The measure, House Bill 413 (HB 413), was filed on Tuesday by state Rep. London Lamar, a Democrat from Memphis. Under the bill, it would no longer be illegal for a person to possess up to one ounce (about 28 grams) of marijuana. The measure would also allow individuals to “casually transfer” up to one ounce of marijuana to another person. For a casual transfer to comply with the proposed law, it must be a spontaneous transfer of marijuana […]

Tennessee Vaping

Tennessee Voices, Episode 79: Dimitris Agrafiotis, Tennessee Smoke Free Association – The Tennessean

August 30, 2020October 3, 2020

CLOSE Dimitris Agrafiotis, executive director of the Tennessee Smoke Free Association, spoke with Tennessean Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas. Nashville Tennessean The Tennessee Voices videocast brings readers conversations with authors of insightful and compelling guest columns. Story Highlights David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. Dimitris Agrafiotis smoked for 23 years, unable to kick the habit despite many attempts and treatment alternatives. That changed when he discovered vaping, or smoking e-cigarettes that vaporize nicotine instead of combusting it like regular cigarettes do. As executive director of the Tennessee Smoke Free Association, […]

Cannabis Tennessee

Former Pot Prisoner in Tennessee Now Running For U.S. Congress

July 22, 2020October 3, 2020

Former public defender, Keeda Haynes, who spent nearly four years in federal prison for a marijuana-related felony, of which she says she was innocent, is running for Congress. Taking on a nearly 20-year incumbent, Rep. Jim Cooper (D), Ms. Haynes hopes to become the first Black congresswoman from Tennessee. The last time Tennessee sent a Black person to Congress was in the 1990s. Though Haynes’ district, which includes Nashville, is nearly 25% Black, they have never had a Black representative in Congress. Haynes, 42, says her district is ready for change. “I am running because looking around I can see […]