Tennessee House Bill HB2479

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/26
• Refer: 2/5/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4; Title 40 and Title 43, relative to the "Freedom to Farm Act."

Impact

The bill establishes specific regulations surrounding the cultivation of marijuana including registration requirements that necessitate approval from the state department of agriculture. This includes a registration fee of $100, which is valid for three years, and stipulates that only one registered adult per household is needed to cultivate marijuana for personal use. The implications of this could lead to increased personal freedom regarding marijuana but also a structured system for accountability and safety surrounding use and storage in private homes. Importantly, this act does not permit any extracts, concentrates, or derivatives, which remain illegal under existing marijuana regulations.

Summary

House Bill 2479, titled the 'Freedom to Farm Act', proposes amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the personal cultivation and possession of marijuana for adults twenty-one years and older. The bill allows registered adults to cultivate up to fifteen marijuana plants in a secure environment within their residences, with a limit of five mature plants. It also permits the possession and use of marijuana-related paraphernalia, as well as the casual exchange of marijuana trim without compensation. The cultivation must occur privately, away from public view, and must involve secure measures to prevent access by minors.

Contention

While the bill promotes personal cultivation, there may be points of contention surrounding the enforcement of registration and its effectiveness in preventing minors from accessing cultivated marijuana. Additionally, concerns may arise regarding the potential normalization of marijuana use in the community. There might be different perspectives on whether the regulations are adequate to protect minors and ensure responsible use or whether they may inadvertently encourage unauthorized use amongst youth. The definition of what constitutes acceptable use and sharing within private residences could also lead to policy debates as the bill advances.