Over the objections of law enforcement and health officials, a second House committee approved a bill Wednesday that would legally allow some Tennesseans to use medical cannabis.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Crosby, would give those suffering from roughly a dozen maladies a legal defense if they are arrested and prosecuted for having cannabis, provided they have a doctor’s note prescribing the product.

The House Criminal Justice Committee advanced the legislation with a 9-2 vote.

Voting in favor were Reps. Sherry Jones, D-Nashville; Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis; Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis; Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville; Jim Coley, R-Bartlett; Mary Littleton, R-Dickson; Michael Curcio, R-Dickson; Micah Van Huss, R-Jonesborough; and Rep. Tilman Goins, R-Morristown.

Voting against the measure were Reps. William Lamberth, R-Cottontown, and Paul Sherrell, R-Sparta.

Click to read the entire post on Tennessean.