Marijuana is often in a class of its own when prosecutors consider punishing those who have been convicted of violating Tennessee marijuana laws. Prosecutors typically use a lighter hand when negotiating sentences or recommending sentences in plea negotiations after a conviction. Public perceptions of marijuana and its modality are evolving throughout the country. As elected officials, prosecutors are aware of this and adjusting their behavior as marijuana becomes more socially acceptable amongst their political base. Therefore, when punishing those for possessing small amounts of marijuana for a casual exchange or personal consumption, prosecutors could be quite lenient.
Someone involved in a larger scale operation growing marijuana, however, might not benefit from the same social changes in Chattanooga. Prosecutors often treat someone growing marijuana for manufacturing and distribution just as harshly as almost any drug dealer for more serious scheduled narcotics, like cocaine or methamphetamine. Prosecutors’ behavior is often influenced by public opinions, and the public’s opinion of marijuana is no different.