Tennessee ‘pot for potholes’ bill returns to legislature
JACKSON, Tenn. — A bill that would legalize cannabis in Tennessee and use the revenue to fix roads is once again up for discussion in the state capitol.
The “pot for potholes” bill, proposed by Sen. Heidi Campbell and Rep. Aftyn Behn, aims to address the state’s road infrastructure problems by creating a new funding source.
“Pot for potholes is basically legalizing cannabis in the state of Tennessee and then, using the revenue from the legalization to fund roads,” Campbell said.
Revenue projections
Starting in fiscal year 2027-28, the bill could bring in about $9.3 million to the state general fund and about $7.4 million to the highway fund, with higher totals in later years.
Expenses will increase for state agencies to run the program, but the estimate assumes savings from fewer marijuana-related incarceration costs will help offset overall costs.
Legislative path
“This year, we’re going to run it through the senate first. And so, this week it’s going to be either this afternoon or tomorrow,” Campbell said.
With no changes to the bill, Campbell hopes the legislation will advance. It needs six votes to clear the senate judiciary committee, but Campbell said many lawmakers may not be open to the idea of legalizing cannabis.
“I think it’s going to be a heavy lift to try and get the extra four votes that we need,” Campbell said.
Bill details
The pot for potholes act would allow adults 21 and older to legally use marijuana in Tennessee, establish a licensed and regulated system for growing, testing and selling cannabis, and apply a 15 percent tax on sales. Most of the revenue would go to transportation infrastructure.
“We have a $58 billion backlog and no real apparent solution for that anytime soon,” Campbell said.
State officials estimate that traffic congestion already costs workers and businesses $420 million and 17,000 hours annually. Tennessee remains one of the few states with no legal cannabis framework.
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