State Sen. Janice Bowling says she is continuing her support for medical marijuana in the face of criticism from the state’s top law enforcement official.

Testimony critical of the bill was heard Wednesday by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. TBI director David Rausch characterized the bill as “an attack on safety,” and said it is his job to speak out to protect the public. The TBI director also questioned the long-term impact cannabis could have on health and said enough research has not been done.

Bowling, who is co-sponsor of the bill and serves as Warren County’s representative in the Tennessee Senate, said medical cannabis has been shown to help at least 23 conditions. At last week’s Legislative Breakfast in McMinnville, Bowling said medical marijuana has been legalized in 33 states.

“This legislation is about arming doctors and patients with an effective tool to treat a range of medical conditions and increase Tennesseans’ quality of life to successfully manage pain without the use of opioids,” said Bowling on Thursday.  “Opioids are highly addictive and are deadly. We were not in the committee yesterday to talk about the marijuana industry. We were there to present a bill on medical cannabis that will bring positive, life-altering treatment to people who are suffering. For them to conflict and conflate the two different issues and then to accuse lawmakers who support this bill of being untruthful, is disingenuous and inaccurate.”

Bowling added that extensive research she has conducted supports the benefits of medical marijuana as prescribed by a physician.

“Studies published by the American Medical Association found states with medical marijuana programs experience nearly a 25 percent drop in opioid-related deaths,” said Bowling. “The opioid epidemic is a health crisis and a medical cannabis bill can help combat it. The polls establish over 80 percent of Tennesseans want medical cannabis and we are elected to act on their behalf. I look forward to seeing this bill back before the committee next week and will continue to wholeheartedly support its passage.”