Hundreds gather for first Mid-South Hemp Festival

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Support was proudly displayed at the Mid-South Hemp Festival, organized by the Memphis chapter of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

"We really wanted to find an avenue to get the products out and really get the information to people That there is a lot of misinformation," said Danielle Buntyon, grower.

Dozens of vendors, like Danielle Buntyon, filled Overton Park selling CBD infused products from bath salts, to baked good, even teas.

A lot of people just thought it was only one way, but coming out here you can see that you can drink, smoke it, soak it, and you’ll still get all of those medicinal properties," said Buntyon

Since 2014, Tennessee law has allowed hemp-based products with less than .3 percent THC.

However, Wednesday state senators shot down the medical cannabis bill.

"There was some concern that if you start going down this road, toward legalizing any aspect of marijuana, eventually it’s going to lead to legalizing marijuana ... all of marijuana. So, I think there is just a lot of nervousness in the legislature about opening up this door," said Michael Nelson, WMC political analyst.

WMC Action News 5 political analyst Michael Nelson believes the growing number of states legalizing medical marijuana, like Arkansas, will put pressure on Tennessee lawmakers to take a closer look at allowing it in the Volunteer state.

"Tennessee is increasingly surrounded by places, that if you were a Tennessean and you want medical marijuana, you can go spend your money in another state. And often, that causes a state that doesn’t have it to. We might as well do it," said Nelson.

For now, the medical marijuana debate in Tennessee will have to wait.

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