Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Tennessee law
Cannabis laws in Chattanooga follow Tennessee’s state law. City-level policy rarely changes cannabis legality; jurisdiction law determines legal risk.
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical use is restricted to low-THC products for qualifying conditions. Possession of marijuana carries legal risk. Some hemp-derived products may be sold under separate rules, but that does not mean marijuana is legal, and legality can depend on product content and labeling.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: CBD/low-THC only
- Possession: Illegal
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Subject to state laws
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products.
Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
Tennessee maintains strict prohibitions on recreational cannabis, which remains illegal. A very limited low-THC/CBD program exists for patients with specific intractable conditions (such as epilepsy), but no dispensaries or broader medical framework is in place. Possession of any amount is criminalized, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on quantity.
Law Enforcement
Chattanooga city police and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office covered much of the area, with surrounding towns also using their own officers. Signal Mountain had the toughest reputation. Red Bank, Alton Park, Highway 58, Highland Park and East Ridge were other places locals singled out for enforcement.
Where to Buy Marijuana
A cold street deal could end in a robbery, a beating or a ripoff. Bars around Market and Broad, Coolidge Park and the people hanging outside the malls were better places to meet someone. A shared blunt sometimes led to an introduction. The UTC crowd had connections for harder-to-find flower.
Marijuana Prices
- Mids: US$20–25 for an eighth, US$40–50 for a quarter, US$70–90 for a half ounce or US$100–140 for an ounce
- Hydro, headies or beasters: US$25 for 1.8 g, US$50 for 3.5 g, US$100 for 7 g or US$300 for an ounce. The account described those figures mainly as beaster prices.
- Purp or Kush: US$20 per gram or US$75 for an eighth