WSMV Channel 4 Advocates participate in Marijuana Education Day

More than a dozen states have already approved the use of medical marijuana and advocates want Tennessee to do the same.

Saturday in Nashville a panel of those advocates joined together for "Marijuana Education day."

They shared their stories about how cannabis has helped them deal with severe medical problems like cancer and glaucoma, and the roadblocks they've faced with the Tennessee Legislature.

"It's pretty much a staple in my life. It's helped me with my pain and regulating my disease," said John Donovan who uses medical marijuana to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Saturday's event was sponsored by the Tennessee Chapter of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), which will host a luncheon and policy seminar as well as a fundraising event to continue efforts to reform federal and state laws regarding prohibition of marijuana.

"Our problem is how do we translate the public support into public policy most of our elected officials are timid," said Keith Stroup a Washington, D.C. attorney and featured speaker.

Right now, 16 states and the District of Columbia have approved the use or marijuana for medical use.

Advocates have been pushing lawmakers here in Tennessee to pas a proposal that would do the same.

Under the proposal, cannabis would be grown by licensed farmers and regulated by the Department of Agriculture.  It would then be distributed to sick patients by dispensaries.

At a hearing two years ago, most lawmakers were hesitant to pull the trigger and the bill didn't make it out of committee.

But advocates say the movement is growing, and it's only a matter of time before the movement makes headway in the South.

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