TN Marijuana Laws

Updated on May 11, 2020.  Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer

Tennessee Medical Marijuana Laws

Tennessee Possession Laws

Medical marijuana is illegal in Tennessee. However, there is an exception that allows the use of high-CBD, low-THC cannabis oil for seizure patients.

Possession and cultivation of marijuana are both illegal. 

• Possession of a half-ounce of marijuana or less is a Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. First offenses bring with them a minimum fine of $250. A second offense brings a mandatory fine of at least $500. Third-time offenders will be charged with a Class E felony, bringing a punishment of between 1 and 6 years in prison and a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000.

1. Tennessee CODE ANN. §39-17-417
2. Tennessee CODE ANN. §39-17-418
3. Tennessee CODE ANN. §39-17-428

Tennessee Distribution Laws

• The sale or possessing with the intent to distribute between a half ounce of marijuana and 10 lbs. of marijuana is a Class E felony punishable with between 1-6 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $5,000.
• The sale or possessing with the intent to distribute between 10 and 70 lbs. of marijuana is a Class D felony punishable with between 2-12 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $5,000.
• The sale or possessing with the intent to distribute between 70-300 lbs. of marijuana is a Class B felony punishable with between 8-30 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $200,000.
• The sale or possessing with the intent to distribute more than 300 lbs. of marijuana is a Class A felony punishable by between 15-60 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $500,000.
• A first-time felony conviction will receive a minimum fine of at least $2,000. A second felony conviction will bring a minimum fine of at least $3,000. The third and all subsequent felony convictions will bring a fine of at least $5,000, and will be punished at one grade higher.

1. Tennessee CODE ANN. §39-17-417

1. Sale to a minor is an unclassified felony which results in an increase in the grade of the offense (determined by amount of marijuana present) by one sentencing grade.
2. See:
3. Sale to a minor within 1,000 ft. of a school is an unclassified felony which results in an increase in the grade of the offense (determined by amount of marijuana present) by one sentencing grade.
4. See:

7. Tennessee CODE ANN. §39-17-417(k)
8. Tennessee CODE ANN. §39-17-432(b)

Tennessee Cultivation Laws

• Cultivation of 10 plants or less is a Class E felony and can lead to incarceration of between 1 and 6 years, and will bring a maximum fine of $5,000.
• Cultivation of between 10 and 19 plants is a Class D felony and can lead to incarceration of between 2 and 12 years, and will bring a maximum fine of $50,000.
• Cultivation of between 20 and 99 plants is a Class C felony and can lead to incarceration of between 3 and 15 years, and will bring a maximum fine of $100,000.
• Cultivation of between 100 and 499 plants is a Class B felony and can lead to incarceration of between 8 and 30 years, and will bring a maximum fine of $200,000.
• Cultivation of 500 or more plants is a Class A felony and can lead to incarceration of between 15 and 60 years, and will bring a maximum fine of $500,000.
• First-time felony convictions will receive a mandatory minimum fine of at least $2,000.
• Second-time felony convictions will receive a mandatory minimum fine of at least $3,000.
• Any repeat felony conviction after the second will receive a mandatory minimum fine of at least $5,000.

1. Tennessee CODE ANN. §39-17-417