Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) launched a new television ad in connection with her “major announcement” on Friday that she was backing efforts to legalize medical marijuana in Tennessee. The latest Harwell commercial not only details her support for medical marijuana but also links President Donald Trump to the issue.
Beth Harwell “Medical Cannabis” ad:
Beth Harwell: “I am the only Republican candidate for Governor who supports le-galizing doctor prescribed medical cannabis. Many suffer. Veterans. Children with seizures. Cancer patients. Our elderly. I just know if it were my loved one I would want this option. President Trump agrees.
President Donald Trump: “I think medical should happen. Right? Don’t we agree?”
Beth Harwell: “Opioids must not be our only option for those in pain. Vote for me, Beth Harwell, for Governor so doctor prescribed medical cannabis can help our loved ones.”
Earlier this year, Harwell expressed the view that medical marijuana may be a “gift from God.”
Nevertheless, recent polls don’t indicate that her support for medical marijuana will be a game changer in the remaining two weeks until the August 2 primary election date. Most political observers, and public polls, show Harwell lagging in fourth among the Republican candidates for Governor, with Diane Black, Bill Lee and Randy Boyd battling for the lead.
The most recent Tennessee Star Poll of the Republican gubernatorial primary, released on June 30, showed Harwell in a distant fourth place, with 7 percent of the vote. That poll showed Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd in the lead with 32 percent of the vote, Diane Black in second with 27 percent of the vote, and Bill Lee in third place with 20 percent of the vote.
There has been significant movement in the race in July, and sources tell The Star more recent private polls indicate a very tight three-way battle at the top between Boyd, Lee, and Black. None of these polls shows Harwell to be in the top three.
