SB 299
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
January 30, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Higgins | Email: chris.higgins@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 299
SUMMARY OF BILL: Changes the criteria for the Governor's three appointees to the
Medical Cannabis Commission (Commission), such that: (1) one appointee must be either a patient
who has been diagnosed with a qualifying medical disease or condition or a person who is the
caregiver of a patient with a qualifying medical disease or condition, or who was a caregiver for such
a patient and the patient is now deceased; (2) one appointee must be a subject matter expert with
knowledge of how cannabis is cultivated, processed, shipped, distributed, or prescribed for medical
use; and (3) one appointee must meet either of the preceding qualifications for appointment.
Specifies that the Commission must include policy recommendations in its annual report to the
General Assembly relating to the medical use of cannabis in the state.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-7-103(a), the Commission consists of nine members.
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-7-103(a)(3), the Governor shall appoint three members
of the Commission, with one appointed from each grand division, and one member being a
patient who has been diagnosed with a qualifying medical disease or condition and who can
establish the diagnosis for purposes of appointment to and service on the Commission with
a valid letter of attestation.
• According to the Commission's 2025 Report to the 114th Tennessee General Assembly, all three
appointments reserved for the Governor were vacant as of January 2, 2025.
• The proposed legislation makes changes to the qualifications for appointments made by the
Governor, but does not impact the total number of members serving on the Commission.
• Changing the background qualifications for certain Commission members is not estimated
to result in a significant change in expenditures for reimbursement to members.
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-7-109(d), the Commission shall annually report its
findings and recommendations to the General Assembly relating to the medical use of
cannabis in the state.
• The Commission can include policy recommendations in its annual report utilizing existing
resources, without an increase in expenditures.
SB 299 2
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director