Nashville follows Tennessee state law, where marijuana remains illegal for both recreational and traditional medical use despite occasional local reform efforts in the past. Possession of weed in the city is still treated as a criminal offense under state statute, and earlier attempts to reduce penalties through local ordinances were later overridden by state legislation. This page explains Nashville’s current marijuana legality, including recreational restrictions, limited medical CBD exceptions, hemp-derived product rules, enforcement practices, and how city policy aligns with broader Tennessee law. For readers who want to compare Nashville’s cannabis laws with other regions, see our comprehensive breakdown of cannabis regulations by location across U.S. states, major cities, and countries worldwide in the Cannabis Laws by Location guide.
Table of Contents
Is marijuana legal in Nashville
1. Recreational Marijuana
- Illegal.
- Possession of any amount is a misdemeanor under Tennessee state law.
- Penalties: Up to 1 year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.
- Nashville-specific: A 2016 local ordinance allowed for civil citations, but the state later overrode it. Police still largely follow state law.
2. Medical Marijuana
- Not legal in the traditional sense.
- Exception: Only low-THC CBD oil (<0.9% THC) is allowed for:
- Patients with intractable epilepsy.
- Must be obtained legally from outside Tennessee.
- No medical marijuana program, no dispensaries, and no cultivation allowed.
3. Hemp-Derived Products (Delta-8, CBD)
- Legal under federal and state hemp laws.
- Available in retail stores throughout Nashville.
- Delta-8 THC: Psychoactive and widely sold as an alternative to cannabis.
4. Enforcement Summary
- Tennessee state law overrides any local efforts to reduce penalties.
- Marijuana possession, sale, and cultivation are still criminal offenses.
- Only hemp-derived cannabinoids are permitted under current law.
Conclusion
Marijuana is illegal for both recreational and medical use in Nashville. Only hemp-derived products like CBD and Delta-8 THC are legally accessible.
