TNSAM Supports Decriminalizing Simple Possession of Cannabis

On February 28th, the Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine (TNSAM) sent a letter to the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice in support of HB 309/SB 1072. This bill would decriminalize possession of personal use quantities of cannabis (1 ounce or less).

In the letter, TNSAM praised cannabis decriminalization as a commonsense policy step embraced by the majority of states. TNSAM cited the considerable cost-savings associated with cannabis decriminalization, highlighting that most cannabis arrests are associated with simple possession. Additionally, TNSAM emphasized the disproportionate harm caused by cannabis criminalization, specifically upon people of color and people of limited means. For example, Black Americans are about four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis than white Americans, despite similar rates of cannabis use. TNSAM also noted the detrimental impact that a criminal record can have on individuals, creating unnecessary barriers for the rest of their lives. In sum, HB 309/SB 1072 is a positive step to reverse course from the harms of cannabis criminalization.

Read the letter here.