Putnam County’s methadone clinic lawsuit against Cedar Recovery and the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission is moving through the court of appeals with oral arguments scheduled for July.
County Attorney Jeff Jones said Cedar Recovery and the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission have filed an appeal seeking to move the case to Davidson County. The request comes after a Putnam County judge ruled last year that the case should remain in local court.
Both sides are expected to present oral arguments before the appeals court, with Cedar Recovery and the commission arguing for the case to be moved to Davidson County, while the county’s legal team will push to keep the case in Putnam County.
Jones said a ruling will follow the hearing, but noted that a decision could take several months.
The lawsuit stems from an October 2024 filing by Putnam County challenging the commission’s approval of a certificate of need that would allow Cedar Recovery to open a methadone clinic on Burgess Falls Road.
The commission approved the certificate in a 6-2 vote in August 2024. In its lawsuit, the county is asking the court to review the case and overturn that decision.
Cedar Recovery officials refused comment.