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.”
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.
“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.
