AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, relative to non-binding, advisory referenda.
If enacted, this bill will require every county election commission in Tennessee to present these advisory questions in the upcoming elections. Although the results will not result in binding legislation, they will be compiled and shared with the general assembly and the public, thus indicating the potential direction of public sentiment on marijuana-related issues. This could lead to future legislative action based on the outcomes of these referenda, depending on how strongly public opinion signals a demand for changes to current marijuana laws.
House Bill 2657 proposes an amendment to the Tennessee Code to establish non-binding, advisory referenda to be included on the November 2024 election ballot. The bill aims to gauge public opinion on three key issues regarding marijuana: the legalization of medical marijuana, the decriminalization of possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and the legalization and regulation of commercial sales of recreational marijuana. These questions will provide insight into the voters' stance on these matters without imposing any legal obligations on the state legislature.
One notable point of contention surrounding HB2657 stems from the ongoing debate about cannabis legalization in the state. Advocates for legalization argue that the referenda can serve as a powerful tool to demonstrate public support and encourage hesitant legislators to take action on marijuana reform. Conversely, opponents may criticize the bill as providing a false sense of effectiveness since the referenda are non-binding and do not compel the legislature to act in accordance with the results. Furthermore, it raises questions about whether relying on advisory referenda is an effective method for enacting significant policy changes.