Tennessee lawmaker files ‘Pot for Potholes Act'
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A state representative has filed a bill that would allow for the sale of marijuana and marijuana products in Tennessee and allocate the tax revenue from those sales to state highways.
Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) filed the bill, dubbed the 'Pot for Potholes Act' Monday. The bill outlines regulations for growing, processing and selling marijuana. Additionally, it states 75% of the revenue derived from taxing marijuana and marijuana products 'must be deposited into the state highway fund.'
Read the full text of the bill here
The legislation comes a year after Behn launched a 'Rocky top, not rocky roads' campaign to raise awareness about what she called a lack of funding for roadway infrastructure projects across the state. Behn told News 2 a draft report anticipating Tennessee's infrastructure needs estimated the cost of needed public infrastructure improvements at $78 billion.
'Unfortunately, there just hasn't been momentum at the Tennessee legislature the past decade to see it [marijuana legalization] over the finish line,' Behn said. 'Now that I'm a member of the House Transportation Committee, I thought, 'What a wonderful way to marry the two ideas of a creative revenue stream and to give the Tennessee public something they desperately want.''
Behn said the state has a backlog on infrastructure projects, but the state budget is insufficient to cover that backlog. This bill, Behn added, would allow Tennessee to diversify its revenue stream.
Additionally, Behn said public opinion polling showed the legalization of cannabis was popular. December 2024 data from a Vanderbilt University poll showed more than 60% of voters supported recreational legalization. The bill also cites the fact 38 states have a marijuana regulatory structure.
Legislation aims to increase age verification of tobacco, hemp product retail sales
'I still think there are some rigid dogmas and stereotypes around marijuana at the legislature,' Behn said. '…I think Tennessee is, unfortunately, deemed as a state often that is really backwards. What a wonderful opportunity to think forward and to legalize marijuana and to fill the potholes with that money.'
Behn is hopeful about the bill's future, saying it was well-received in a transportation committee meeting.
'I'm excited to see what kind of coalition I can build to get it across the finish line,' Behn added.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
‘This is not a monarchy': Nashville protest targets Trump, military parade
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As protests against the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement have spread across the country, Middle Tennessee demonstrators have shifted their focus to President Donald Trump. As the Army gears up for a major parade in Washington D.C., a national organization with a group in Nashville is pushing back, saying it looks more like a show of force than celebration. They're calling it 'No Kings Day.' 'This is not the America that any of us grew up in,' volunteer with Nashville Indivisible, Jennifer Brinkman, said. 'I am a native Nashvillian. I am blown away that this is where we are- it's wrong.' 'No Kings' protest planned in Murfreesboro On Saturday, the Army will celebrate its 250th anniversary with a parade in Washington D.C. The event also falls on Trump's birthday, but not everyone is celebrating. Participants with the 'No Kings' movement have called the parade a 'spectacle made to look like strength.' 'This looks more like a military parade that you would see like in North Korea or Iran, China or Russia and it's costing a lot of money and it seems to be a big distraction,' Brinkman expressed. Jennifer Brinkman, a volunteer coordinators for the Nashville 'No Kings' demonstration told News 2 that distraction pulls attention from what she calls urgent issues like immigration enforcement, civil rights concerns and cut to public programs. 'The cuts to Medicaid and then the trade off is give ultra wealthy more tax cuts,' Brinkman said. In May, Nashville was the center of a joint ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol operation which led to the arrest of 196 undocumented immigrants, according to ICE. Brinkman told News 2 tactics used during those arrests raise major red flags. 'Deporting people without due process that is not American,' Brinkman expressed. 'ICE agents that we don't even know if they are ICE agents, I mean literally they are not wearing the same uniforms. They don't have their names on their vest. They are not being held to any kind of accountability.' As cities like Los Angeles enact curfews amid ICE protest tensions, Brinkman said over 2,000 Nashvillians are already registered to gather with the focus on keeping things peaceful with designated peace keepers. 'Stay with the group, chant together, support one another,' Brinkman said. 'Also we ask our participants that are showing up to document don't confront. If something concerning happens quietly take a photo or a video and alert your organizers or your peacekeepers.' Organizers say they are working with the Metro Nashville Police Department and State Park Rangers. 'The biggest tip is do not escalate,' Brinkman said. 'So we tell them no matter what others say or do not respond with anger, threats or physical actions, escalation undermines our message and puts others at risk.' 'No Kings' protest to be held in Gallatin Saturday afternoon Brinkman encouraged people to register online and show up at Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park with signs and a shared message: 'This is not a monarchy. We have a say in this. We are raising our voices please listen to the voices that are being raised. These are your constituents.' MNPD said they're aware of this weekend's gathering and support the right to peaceful demonstration. THP said they are prepared to assist as needed. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will help manage traffic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Smyrna revising open door policy for inclusion
SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN) — Members of the Smyrna Town Council are looking to improve how they resolve employee complaints and grievances in order to foster a more inclusive environment. During a meeting on Tuesday, the council discussed the approval of the terms of a revised open door policy. According to the current employee handbook, the director of human resources or town manager handles grievances. The new changes would only enhance that rule and provide further direction for the council and the mayor. Town Attorney Jeff Peach answered a question about the process from Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed. She asked for clarification on how to address an employee who comes to her or a council member about a complaint. Spring Hill officials change regulations on food trucks, pave way for expansion 'If the complaint was against me, then you would have [Town Manager David] Santucci to go to, and vice versa, and you would hold us accountable for making sure that those next steps are in place,' Peach said. However, if the complaint was against both the town manager and town attorney, Peach said they would look for outside counsel to address the grievance. Several council members shared their thoughts about the changes, including Councilman Steve Sullivan, who wanted to make the policy more transparent for all members to receive notification of the complaint. 'No Kings' protest to be held in Gallatin Saturday afternoon 'I would like it to take a step further and maybe even have the language in here somewhere that if this form is used related to either one of your positions, the entire council needs to be made aware of it, not just one member,' Sullivan said. The Smyrna Town Council voted to defer the action so members can add new language to address their concerns. The matter will be brought back up at July's meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
‘No Kings' protest planned in Murfreesboro
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — As immigration unrest continues across the country, the 'No Kings' movement hopes to share their message loud and clear Saturday, which is the same day as the military parade for President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. 'We're saying we are a democracy — that we do not have kings that's the reason the United States became the United States and the 13 colonies,' said Victoria Broderick, who plans to join the No Kings gathering in Murfreesboro. 'And just reminding that tyranny's not acceptable here and that we want to show that we are present, we are engaged and that you're not alone if maybe you feel alone at this moment.' Nashville among cities where 'No Kings' anti-Trump military parade protests planned On Saturday, the group plans to gather at The Avenue in Murfreesboro off Medical Center Parkway. Kelly Northcutt said she's passionate about checks and balances, and also has concerns over recent immigration handlings. 'The right that everyone has, not just citizens — everyone in the United States has — to habeus corpus, the right to due process,' Northcutt said. 'Because once that can be taken away from one group of people, that can be taken away from all of us.' Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) said he stands with the efforts of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, but also the First Amendment. He added that he doesn't want to see local protests get violent, like some did in 2020. 'I think that if folks have committed crimes, ICE needs to be able to do their job, so when I see people trying to thwart the efforts of law enforcement — like we're seeing in California now — we're seeing that,' Sparks said. 'I don't think people have the right to tear down statues like I've seen in Nashville. They don't have the right to light City Hall on fire.' Northcutt added that she would be one of the volunteer officers Saturday making sure things don't turn violent or destructive. 'I think that's the strongest way to get across our message: we are just regular citizens that are standing up for our rights and the rights of others against what we see as an administration that's just gone too far,' Northcutt said. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County Murfreesboro Police shared this statement with News 2 about security: 'The Murfreesboro Police Department is aware of the No King Rally happening on Saturday. We can't share details about our security plans, but we want everyone to know we'll have extra security measures in place to keep things peaceful. We respect everyone's right to gather and will work hard to keep the community safe.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
