Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Tennessee law
Cannabis laws in Memphis 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
Memphis city officers were thought to put more effort into violent crime and crack dealing. In Germantown, Collierville and Cordova, younger smokers felt more likely to draw notice, especially in traffic.
Where to Buy Marijuana
The Highland strip south of Orange Mound was a University of Memphis hangout. Newby’s had a fenced back porch where smokers gathered. The head shop called Whatever was about a block away. Cooper-Young and areas off Poplar drew the arts crowd, with bars, head shops and the independent films at Studio on the Square. A conversation might lead to a shared bowl. Orange Mound and Beale Street both came with strong warnings about robbery and ripoffs.
Marijuana Prices
- Beasters or BC bud: about US$45 for an eighth or US$90 for a quarter
- Super funk: US$50–60 for an eighth or US$100–120 for a quarter, depending on the markup
- Schwag: US$15–35 for a quarter, US$60–75 for an ounce or US$200–250 for a quarter pound
Types of Marijuana
Cheap schwag was common and sometimes went into hash. Mids could be passed off as hydro or dank. Real hydro was rarer and highly rated. People generally spoke in grades like chronic, beasters and schwag.
More Information
Memphis felt full of weed. The college and arts crowds were where people preferred to make introductions.