Flanked by retired police officers, children, veterans and musicians, two Tennessee Republican lawmakers ceremoniously introduced a bill Wednesday that would allow the use of medical marijuana for patients with a variety of medical conditions and 50 grow operations, 15 of which would be in "distressed" areas of the state.

Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, and Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville,  are leading the most concerted effort to legalize medical marijuana in Tennessee, and encouraged anyone who already supports medical use to "educate" others who might not support the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Marijuana reform may not be on the ballot in Tennessee on Election Day, but the state is making strides in changing their cannabis laws nonetheless. On Tuesday, Memphis set a new ordinance in place to decriminalize pot in certain instances, becoming the second city in the state to lower possession penalties, according to reports. The new law will allow officers the option to issue fines or community service to people in possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Nashville’s Metro Council made history Tuesday by approving the city’s first measure to allow lesser civil penalties for people caught with small amounts of marijuana, but it may set the stage for a confrontation with the state.

Meanwhile, some Nashville judges are now raising concerns that moving minor marijuana possession cases from criminal to civil court may give people fewer options to later erase those encounters from the public record.

Last week, the NFL's Derrick Morgan opened up about why he became a cannabis advocate. In an interview with NPR, the Tennessee Titans linebacker said he was inspired by Charlotte Figi, a nine-year-old girl from Colorado who became the face of medical marijuana due to her severe case of epilepsy.

Nashville is well on its way to joining a growing list of municipalities in the southern part of the United States that have eliminated the criminal penalties associated with small time marijuana possession.

On Tuesday, the Metro Council passed a proposed ordinance seeking to decriminalize the possession of marijuana in the second of three votes needed before the proposal goes in front of Mayor Megan Barry for a signature. The proposal, which was brought to the table by Metro Councilman Dave Rosenberg, will now go before the council for a final vote on September 20.

The push to legalize marijuana is in full force and a look at just how swiftly attitudes are changing nationwide is nearly enough to make anyone start buying pot penny stocks left and right. Though there has been both disappointing and encouraging signs from the federal government in regard to eventual reclassification or legalization of cannabis, we’re still seeing a state-by-state domino effect take place.

The Tennessee chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has sued the Davidson County Election Commission as it seeks to use online signatures to boost its referendum efforts.(Photo: Getty Images)

24/7 Wall Street CEO Douglas McIntyre looks at the 10 states where people smoke the most marijuana.

A proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Nashville survived an unexpected roll-call first vote in the Metro Council Tuesday night.

The council voted 32-4, with one abstention, to advance a bill on the first of three readings that would lessen the penalty for people who knowingly possess or exchange a half-ounce of marijuana or less to a $50 civil penalty or 10 hours of community service.

I have a bet, for just a Coca-Cola of course, that marijuana will be completely legal in the United States within 10 years. And the reason I am so keenly interested is because it is believed the climate and the soil of Tennessee are just perfect for raising a magnificent crop of ‘Ganja.’ Want me to go a step further: I want to grow it. Really, but I swear I don’t smoke it. Seriously it’s a great cash crop.

Growing (non-psychotic) hemp just became legal in Tennessee, which many believe is a step towards a different “weed.” Hemp is a cousin of “giggle weed,” don’t you see, and is used in so many things today it will boggle your mind.

The marijuana business in the U.S. is growing like a weed.

Nationwide, legal sales of marijuana reached $5.7 billion in 2015, up from $4.6 billion the previous year, according to a report from ArcView Market Research. For 2016, the market is projected to grow to $7.1 billion. And by 2020, ArcView says, sales of legal marijuana in the U.S. could top $22 billion.

As it stands now, about two-thirds of America’s marijuana crop — the legal and illegal kinds — is grown outdoors, according to Mother Jones magazine.

Last week, state legislators put Illinois on track to become the 21st state to decriminalize cannabis.

If Governor Bruce Rauner signs the bill – and he’s said he likely will – residents would no longer face up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $1,500 or getting caught with between 2.5-10 grams of marijuana.

Instead, They’ll be ticketed between $100-$200 per offense.

But other Americans aren’t so lucky. Some states impose hefty fines for small amounts of cannabis – even for personal use. Here are the 5 harshest state lawscurrently on the books for simple cannabis possession (based on data from NORML.)