Potholes and aging highways are a familiar frustration for drivers across Tennessee. Two state lawmakers believe cannabis taxes could help solve part of that problem. Their proposal, called the Pot for Potholes Act, would legalize marijuana for adults and direct tax revenue toward road and transportation projects.
Supporters say the plan could help repair infrastructure while capturing cannabis revenue that currently flows to neighboring states with legal marijuana markets. The renewed push signals that marijuana legalization remains part of Tennessee’s ongoing policy debate.
Key Takeaways
- The Pot for Potholes Act would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older in Tennessee.
- Cannabis sales would face a 15 percent tax, with most revenue going toward transportation funding.
- Adults could legally possess up to 60 grams of marijuana and grow 12 plants for personal use.
- Supporters say legalization could help Tennessee retain tax revenue currently spent in neighboring legal states.
Tennessee Lawmakers Renew Push for the Pot for Potholes Act
State Sen. Heidi Campbell of Nashville and Rep. Aftyn Behn of Nashville recently announced the relaunch of the Pot for Potholes Act, legislation designed to legalize recreational marijuana and invest tax revenue into transportation projects.
The proposal has been filed as SB 2440 and HB 2525 in the Tennessee legislature. A similar bill was introduced last year but did not move forward during the legislative session.
Advocates say the Act connects two policy goals that many voters support: cannabis reform and improved infrastructure funding. The campaign promoting the bill includes a public petition and promotional videos hosted on Pot4Potholes.com aimed at raising awareness.
What the Pot for Potholes Act Would Allow
If approved, the act would establish a regulated cannabis market in Tennessee.
Adults age 21 and older would be permitted to possess up to 60 grams of marijuana. The bill would also allow individuals to grow up to 12 cannabis plants for personal use.
The legislation outlines a licensing system for businesses involved in cultivating, processing, and selling cannabis products. State regulators would oversee the industry to ensure compliance with product testing standards, licensing requirements, and safety regulations.
Supporters argue that regulated markets provide more consumer protection than prohibition because products must meet quality and testing standards before reaching consumers.
Cannabis Taxes Could Help Fund Tennessee Roads
A defining feature of the act is its transportation funding plan.
The proposal includes a 15 percent tax on marijuana sales, with the majority of that revenue directed to the state highway fund. The funding could support road repairs, highway maintenance, and other transportation projects throughout Tennessee.
Some of the tax revenue would also be distributed to county governments and used to cover administrative costs tied to cannabis regulation.
To understand the potential impact, it helps to look at other states. According to the Tax Foundation, states with legal cannabis markets collected more than $4 billion in marijuana tax revenue in 2024 alone. Many of those states direct cannabis taxes toward public programs such as education, infrastructure, and health initiatives.
Supporters say Tennessee could adopt a similar model if the Pot for Potholes Act becomes law.
Advocates Say Tennessee Is Losing Cannabis Revenue
Another argument behind the Pot for Potholes Act centers on regional competition.
Residents frequently travel to nearby states where marijuana sales are legal. When those purchases happen across state lines, Tennessee collects no tax revenue from those transactions.
Supporters believe legalization could allow the state to capture that economic activity locally while supporting new businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, and retail.
A regulated cannabis market could also generate new jobs and tax revenue, while reducing the role of illegal markets that operate outside regulatory oversight.
Cannabis Reform Efforts Continue at the Tennessee Capitol
The renewed momentum behind the act arrives just ahead of Cannabis Day on the Hill, scheduled for March 11 at the Tennessee State Capitol.
Advocates plan to meet with lawmakers and encourage discussions around cannabis reform in the state.
Currently, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Tennessee, and the state does not operate a comprehensive medical cannabis program. As more states adopt regulated cannabis markets, policy discussions about legalization continue to gain attention across the country.
The debate surrounding the act reflects a broader conversation about how states might regulate cannabis while funding public priorities.
Conclusion
The Pot for Potholes Act represents another effort by Tennessee lawmakers to combine marijuana legalization with infrastructure investment. Supporters believe cannabis tax revenue could help repair roads while creating a regulated cannabis industry within the state.
The proposal still faces challenges in the legislature, where cannabis reform has historically struggled to advance. Even so, the renewed campaign shows that legalization remains an active policy discussion in Tennessee.
If lawmakers continue to debate the Pot for Potholes Act, the proposal could shape how the state approaches both cannabis regulation and transportation funding in the years ahead.
This article is based on publicly available legislative records, court filings, industry reports, and published research as of the publication date. Cannabis laws and regulations change frequently — verify current rules with your state’s regulatory agency.
