TENNESSEE — A new national analysis shows Tennessee remains among the top states in the country for marijuana possession arrests, despite a steady decline in enforcement over the past several years.
According to a study analyzing data from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, Tennessee ranks 10th nationally in marijuana possession arrests, with an average of 176 arrests per 100,000 residents between 2021 and 2025. The report estimates that about 12,562 people per year were arrested statewide for marijuana possession during that five-year period.
The research was conducted by the law firm Anidjar & Levine, which reviewed federal crime statistics to examine how marijuana enforcement trends could potentially impact residents’ firearm rights under federal law. Under current federal statutes, individuals who are considered unlawful users of controlled substances can face restrictions on possessing firearms.
While Tennessee’s arrest rate remains high compared to many states, the data shows enforcement has been declining. Marijuana possession arrests dropped from 14,494 in 2021 to 11,059 in 2025, representing a 23.7 percent decrease over the four-year period. Despite the decline, Tennessee still maintains one of the highest enforcement rates in the nation.
Researchers say the state’s marijuana possession arrest rate remains significantly higher than neighboring states, particularly those with more relaxed marijuana laws. Tennessee’s enforcement rate of 176 arrests per 100,000 residents is more than 14 times higher than Virginia, where recreational marijuana became legal in 2024 and arrest rates dropped to about 12.1 per 100,000 residents.
Other surrounding states also show lower enforcement levels. North Carolina reported approximately 107.7 arrests per 100,000 residents, while Georgia recorded about 94.7 arrests per 100,000 residents. Arkansas, where marijuana remains prohibited, had a rate of 157.8 per 100,000 residents, still lower than Tennessee.
The study also highlighted consistent enforcement patterns throughout the year. Between 2021 and 2025, Tennessee averaged more than 900 marijuana possession arrests per month, with March frequently recording the highest number of arrests. The peak month occurred in March 2021, when authorities reported 1,695 arrests statewide.
Researchers noted that even though arrests have declined steadily each year since 2021, the rate remains high enough to keep Tennessee firmly within the national top ten for marijuana enforcement.
The analysis relied on FBI arrest data from January 2021 through December 2025 and used U.S. Census population estimates to calculate arrest rates per 100,000 residents.
With marijuana laws continuing to evolve across the country, analysts say enforcement levels and legal policies will likely remain a topic of debate in Tennessee and throughout the region in the coming years.
