Tennessee
Tennessee should make marijuana legal after feds downgrade marijuana to Schedule III drug
Lawmakers should ask their constituents what they think and then in their 2025 session start working on allowing broader access to cannabis for all Tennesseans.
Biden administration plans big marijuana rule changes
The federal government’s plan would recategorize pot, once deemed highly dangerous, addictive and without medical use, as a prescribable medication.
In 2015, former state Rep. Sheila Butt, now mayor of Maury County, openly talked about how cannabis oil versus traditional medication would help her sister, who suffered from seizures.
East Tennessee Rep. Jeremy Faison famously posted a photo of himself at a marijuana grow room during a 2016 visit to Colorado to learn more about medicinal uses for the plant.
Beth Harwell, the former Tennessee Speaker of the House, campaigned for governor in 2018 on a promise to make marijuana legal in the Volunteer State.
Ex state Sen. Steve Dickerson, a physician, advocated for alternative forms of medicine including cannabis in a 2020 guest opinion column in The Tennessean.
They all happen to be Republicans in a state with a GOP-dominated legislature. Faison is now in a leadership position as House GOP Caucus chair, but in 2015, he said: “For close to a decade we demonized a plant. We are in the early stages in America and in Tennessee in understanding there may be some benefits in this plant.”
While he is not quite so vocal about this subject as he used to be, now that the federal government is looking to change rules downgrading marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug, Faison and his colleagues should start back on a path toward broader legalization in Tennessee.
Cannabis production and sales are limited in Tennessee
The change, if approved after a public comment process, would no longer classify marijuana as among the “most dangerous and addictive substances,” according to a USA TODAY report.
Twenty-four of 50 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use and another 14 only allow it for medicinal use, according to Pew Research Center. That means the vast majority of Americans – 74% – live in a state where there is some form of broad legalization.
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Tennessee is not one of them and what is permissible is limited.
There are cannabis-derived products, such as, oils, ointments and gummies, which are allowed to be sold in the state, including CBD, or cannabidiol, and Delta-8. In 2022, Buds & Brews became Tennessee’s first legal restaurant to serve cannabis-infused condiments and beverages.
In addition, the state allows for the legal cultivation of hemp that contains less than 0.3% of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychotropic part of the plant. Anything beyond 0.3% is forbidden and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s official statement on its website says: “TBI is opposed to the legalization of marijuana in any form outside of the FDA and DEA approval process utilized for all other forms of medicine.”
Yet, in a state suffering an opioid abuse and death epidemic and with federal rules likely changing, it is time to change the law in Tennessee starting with broader access to medicinal care.
In his guest opinion column, Dickerson, the medical doctor and former state senator, addressed concerns that legalized marijuana could be a “gateway” drug for addiction and he responded this way: “Like any medical treatment, this is a concern that must be taken seriously. However, research clearly shows that cannabis dependency occurs in a tiny percentage of patients, and it is far safer than other types of painkillers. With proper care and supervision, the benefits of medical cannabis far outweigh these concerns.”
Americans show record support for legalizing pot
More than a decade ago, the Obama Administration stopped prosecuting people for possessing medicinal marijuana.
Congress has limited the Department of Justice’s ability to go after people in states that have legalized marijuana, according to a 2022 Congressional Research Service report.
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President Joe Biden has pardoned thousands of Americans convicted on federal counts of simple possession of marijuana.
Today, as fentanyl and other synthetic drugs are public health and criminal justice threats, legalizing marijuana could help people in pain, farmers, and state budgets at a time when revenues are flat or falling. Non-violent people would stay out of jail.
National Geographic wrote in its “Inside Marijuana” that cannabis is among the largest cash crops in the nation and the legal pot trade is outpacing the wine industry in California.
There are important concerns about potential addiction in some cases and about whether heavy state regulations create a disincentive for growers, leading people to get their recreational pot in the underground economy, thus, defeating the purpose for a legal framework.
However, popular opinion is very much in favor of legalization. The polling and public sentiment research service Gallup showed that Americans’ support for legalized marijuana grew from 12% in 1969 to a record 70% in 2023.
Lawmakers should ask their constituents what they think and then in their 2025 session start working on allowing broader access to cannabis for all Tennesseans.
David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.
Tennessee
Titans free agency: Tennessee signing offensive weapons to help QB Cam Ward, bolstering coach Robert Saleh’s defense, reports say
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Let the spending spree begin. The NFL offseason is now in full swing as free agents are beginning to sign with new homes throughout the league ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
The Tennessee Titans are among the top franchises with the most cap space in the league.
Latest: Tennessee Titans reportedly trade young defensive tackle for Pro Bowl defensive end from New York Jets
Previous: Tennessee Titans release center Lloyd Cushenberry
Below is a look at the free agents and moves the Titans have reportedly made:
- Cornerback Alontae Taylor – three-year $60 million deal
- Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott – three-year $45 million deal
- Defensive tackle John Franklin-Meyers – three-year $63 million deal
- Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky – two-year deal
- Tight end Daniel Bellinger – three-year $24 million deal
- Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson – four-year $70 million deal
- Long snapper Morgan Cox – re-signed one-year deal
Before the free-agency frenzy, the Titans released center Lloyd Cushenberry and also reportedly traded away defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat for Pro Bowl defensive end Jermaine Johnson.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.
The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from March 8 drawing
Evening: 1-8-7, Wild: 8
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from March 8 drawing
Evening: 1-0-9-7, Wild: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from March 8 drawing
10-19-30-33-35
Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 8 drawing
01-31-32-45-52, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:
Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.
When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash4Life: 9:15 p.m. CT daily.
- Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
- Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Tennessee
Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell Among Top Projected Fantasy Football Options in 2026 NFL Draft | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee football is set to send a handful of players from its 2025 roster to the NFL during this upcoming draft. However, one stands out as a potential breakout star for fantasy football players.
Wide receiver Chris Brazzell proved to be one of the top pass catchers in the SEC this past season, leading the conference in yards per game. Now, he’s widely projected as a second-round pick with the potential to even climb into the first round after a strong combine showing.
With the combine in the books and the draft coming up next month, ESPN ranked incoming rookies on their projected fantasy football output. He clocked in at No. 13 and the seventh-highest ranked receiver.
“Brazzell is a tall, perimeter receiver with a big wingspan who will do most of his damage down field (career 14.2 aDOT at Tennessee) and doesn’t offer much after the catch (class-worst 3.6 RAC),” ESPN’s Mike Clay wrote. “He has good speed (4.37 40-yard dash) and may settle in as a boom/bust low-volume, splash-play fantasy option.”
More From RTI: Three Tennessee Football Players Mocked in the First Two Rounds of NFL Draft by ESPN
Brazzell wrapped up his second season with Tennessee in 2025. In 12 games, he produced 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns on 62 receptions. He proved to be an elite deep-ball threat with Joey Aguilar at quarterback and Josh Heupel retooling the offensive scheme.
His best game came against Georgia at home. Brazzell recorded six receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He went over the 100-yard mark four times and over 90 yards five times.
Prior to that, Brazzell played two seasons at Tulane before transferring to join the Vols for their 2024 College Football Playoff campaign.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If Brazzell does fall outside the first round, he’d likely go the following day when rounds two and three are held. The remaining four rounds are the next day.
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