State Representative Jeremy Faison Introduces Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis Oil

State Representative Jeremy Faison (R–Cosby) officially filed House Bill 197 today in Nashville, a piece of legislation designed to decriminalize the possession of cannabis oil in Tennessee for the purpose of treating children who suffer from intractable, life-threatening seizures.

The motivation behind filing House Bill 197 by Representative Faison occurred after learning of the plight of 7-month-old Josie Mathes, who lives in Greene County and is a constituent of Faison’s. Josie suffers from infantile seizures that her parents, Stacie and Logan Mathes, believe would be relieved by the use of cannabis oil.

“I will be the first to tell you that government makes mistakes and doesn’t always have the right answer to our problems,” said Faison. “However, every now and then, we join together to work for a common cause that will really make a difference in our state. Cannabis oil has shown evidence to help children who suffer with seizures and I strongly believe that if the legislature joins me in passing this bill, it will be one of those times that government does get it right.”

Faison’s bill mandates that the oil must have less than .9% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the “high” causing agent in marijuana. Typically suspended in coconut or olive oil, cannabis oil is strictly a byproduct of a low-THC hybrid plant that contains high doses of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, the main ingredient proven to aid with infantile seizures. It is important to note that the bill neither legalizes the smoking of marijuana nor permits the use of medical marijuana in Tennessee.

“I look forward to talking with my colleagues in the General Assembly about the importance of this legislation over the next several days,” continued Faison. “I am thankful to Senator Becky Duncan Massey for being willing to carry this legislation in the Senate, and I am honored to get to work to see this bill passed here in Tennessee.”