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Epilepsy and cannabis in Tennessee

The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Listed qualifying condition
✓ Yes
LEGAL
Low-THC oil for intract…
POSSESSION
$0/yr
STATE FEE
7–30 d
TIMELINE
Listed qualifying condition. The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Tennessee statute and program

The Tennessee Low-THC Possession Authorization (intractable seizures) is the operating authority for Tennessee patient certification. The authoritative legal text is: T.C.A. § 39-17-402: Cannabis classification (Schedule VI).

What the evidence says about cannabis and Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder defined by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The condition affects an estimated 3.4 million Americans. Most patients respond to anti-seizure medications, but approximately one-third develop treatment-resistant epilepsy that fails two or more first-line drugs.

For the full evidence base, including the NASEM tier, randomized trial summaries, and symptom-domain breakdown, read the mmjnow Epilepsy page.

How to qualify in Tennessee

The Tennessee Low-THC Possession Authorization (intractable seizures) requires the following registration steps for a Epilepsy patient (or any qualifying diagnosis):

  1. Confirm intractable-seizure diagnosis with a Tennessee neurologist. Tennessee operates a narrow low-THC possession authorization under Tenn. Code Ann. §39-17-402 (the "Tennessee Cannabis Oil Law" enacted in 2015 and modestly expanded in 2021). The program covers only intractable seizure disorders. A Tennessee-licensed physician — typically a neurologist — documents the diagnosis and the determination that the patient may benefit from cannabis oil (defined as oil containing ≤0.9% THC and at least 5% CBD by weight).
  2. Obtain a physician’s written certification or order. The physician issues a signed letter or written certification that the patient has been diagnosed with intractable epilepsy and is under the physician’s care. Tennessee does not maintain a state patient registry and does not issue a state-issued medical cannabis identification card under §39-17-402.
  3. No state registration fee. Tennessee charges no state patient registration fee, because there is no state patient registry to enroll in. The patient bears only the costs of the physician evaluation and the cannabis oil product obtained from another state.
  4. Obtain low-THC cannabis oil from another state and possess as an affirmative defense. Tennessee does not authorize in-state dispensaries or cultivation under §39-17-402. The patient or parent (for a minor patient) typically obtains low-THC cannabis oil from a legal program in another state (commonly Georgia, Virginia, or Colorado). Tennessee law provides an affirmative defense against possession charges when the patient or caregiver can produce the physician’s certification. The state does not honor out-of-state medical cards for any broader cannabis use.
State registration fee
$0
Physician visit (typical)
$200–$400
Certification to card
7–30 days
Out-of-state patients
Not eligible
Minors
Eligible with caregiver

For full Tennessee registration steps, fees, and reciprocity rules, see the Tennessee cannabis-laws page.

ICD-10 code

A certifying physician documenting Epilepsy for the Tennessee medical cannabis program will typically record ICD-10 G40.909 or SNOMED-CT 84757009 in the patient's record. The state registry does not itself collect ICD-10 codes in most programs, but the physician's chart is the audit trail if the certification is later reviewed.

Frequently asked questions

Does Tennessee list Epilepsy as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis?

Yes. Tennessee explicitly lists Epilepsy as a qualifying condition under Tennessee Low-THC Possession Authorization (intractable seizures). A patient with a documented Epilepsy diagnosis can pursue state-program certification with a physician registered in the state. The qualifying-condition list is set by state statute or regulation and may change. Inclusion on the list does not guarantee certification — a physician still has to evaluate the patient and decide that medical cannabis is appropriate for that specific case under Tennessee rules.

How do I get a Tennessee medical marijuana card for Epilepsy?

Step one is finding a physician licensed in Tennessee who is registered with Tennessee Low-THC Possession Authorization (intractable seizures) and willing to evaluate Epilepsy cases. Step two is collecting your records (diagnosis documentation, treatment history, and the ICD-10 code your physician will use) and bringing them to the certification visit. Step three is the physician's certification through the state registry, followed by the patient registration application, state fee, and waiting period before the card is issued. Tennessee does not honor out-of-state cards, so the certification process has to originate inside the state. Verify the patient minimum age with the state program before applying. Confirm the current process with the state regulator before applying, because the rules change.

What does the evidence say about cannabis for Epilepsy?

For Epilepsy, evidence is described as strong (e.g. multiple randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews supporting effect). The mmjnow condition page for Epilepsy lays out the current evidence base, including the citations underlying that evidence tier — typically the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus reports, federal agency guidance, and peer-reviewed reviews. Evidence quality is independent of state law: a state can list a condition for which evidence is limited, and a state can decline to list a condition for which evidence is strong. Patients deciding whether to pursue medical cannabis for Epilepsy should review the underlying evidence (linked on the condition page) and discuss expected benefit, dosing, and risk with a clinician familiar with both Epilepsy and cannabinoid pharmacology. Cannabis is not a substitute for evidence-based first-line treatments for Epilepsy; the evidence position above describes whether trial data supports its use, not whether it should replace standard care.

Sources

  1. T.C.A. § 39-17-402: Cannabis classification (Schedule VI)accessed May 15, 2026
  2. SB 280 (2015): Low-THC cannabis oil possession authorizationaccessed May 15, 2026
  3. NORML: Tennessee Lawsaccessed May 15, 2026
  4. Wikipedia: Cannabis in Tennesseeaccessed May 15, 2026
  5. T.C.A. §39-17-418: Simple possession or casual exchange (penalty schedule)accessed May 17, 2026
  6. Tennessee Department of Agriculture: Industrial Hemp Programaccessed May 17, 2026
  7. Tennessee General Assembly bill trackeraccessed May 17, 2026
  8. Nashville/Davidson County District Attorney: small-amount possession discretion policyaccessed May 17, 2026
  9. NASEM: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)accessed May 15, 2026

    “Conclusive or substantial evidence that oral cannabidiol is effective for the treatment of certain epilepsy syndromes.”

  10. FDA: Epidiolex (cannabidiol) prescribing informationaccessed May 15, 2026
  11. NIH NCCIH: Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoidsaccessed May 15, 2026