Tennessee: Bipartisan and Bicameral Lawmakers File “Freedom to Farm Act” to Legalize Cannabis Cultivation for Everyone 21+

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

February 5, 2026

Bipartisan Tennessee lawmakers have introduced the “Freedom to Farm Act” (House Bill 2479 and Senate Bill 2486) to allow adults 21+ to cultivate cannabis personally. Sponsored by Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D) and Sen. Janice Bowling (R), the bills permit registration with the Department of Agriculture for a $100 fee (valid three years), enabling up to 15 plants (no more than five mature) in a locked, non-public home area. Registered growers may possess up to 16 ounces of dried cannabis from their plants. Cultivation is banned in minors' presence, with secure storage required to prevent underage access. Excess registration fees would fund farmers’ market grants across the state’s three grand divisions. If passed, the law would take effect January 1, 2027. Tennessee currently treats marijuana as a Schedule VI substance, with possession carrying fines and jail time. The proposal focuses on personal growing rights without allowing commercial sales or broader decriminalization, aligning with growing national trends toward home cultivation while maintaining restrictions.