Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
As the pro-pot lobby plans rallies across Texas this weekend, a handful of lawmakers face a looming deadline to win support for proposals to relax marijuana laws.
Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, wants to make a civil offense of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana. His bill remains in committee, as does a bill allowing medical uses of marijuana.
"I think I have the votes to bring it out of committee," Moody said. "Unfortunately we are working against the clock."
Measures that don't emerge from committee by May 11 are snuffed out — at least for this legislative session.
In the meantime, one of the country's most prominent marijuana advocates, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, hopes to draw attention to the proposals at five rallies on Saturday - in Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Houston, Lubbock and El Paso - as well as one Sunday in San Antonio. It's planning another event the following weekend in Austin.
Heather Fazio, Texas political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, said the rallies are important in supporting behind-the-scenes work at the Capitol.
"When you see thousands of people in the streets, this reminds people that things are moving along," she said.
While the civil penalty and medical marijuana proposals pose significant enough changes, the most far-reaching measure aims to legalize marijuana possession and delivery.
"To date, there has not been a compelling, scientific argument for prohibiting the possession, use and cultivation of the marijuana plant," said Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, who authored the legalization bill, which is also pending in committee.
Simpson said repeal saves money for law enforcement, spares the "destruction and disruption" of thousands of people busted with marijuana, and will "restore freedom and dignity to all Texans."
The Legislative Budget Board estimates that legalization would add $71 million to the state's bottom line by August 2017. That represents savings from costs of prison, parole and community sentencing programs.
Gov. Greg Abbott and the state Republican Party haven't been convinced, however.
Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican communications strategist, said while the party platform doesn't support legalization, Republican officials and their supporters harbor a variety of opinions.
"Where we have found agreement is on conservative approaches to criminal justice reform - like sentencing, drug courts and reducing the prison population," he said, adding that former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have all supported criminal justice reforms.
A poll last year by the University of Texas and Texas Tribune showed 77 percent of those surveyed support some degree of legalization. Seventeen percent support legalization of possession of any amount, while one-third support legalization of small amounts.
The poll found 28 percent support legalization only for medical purposes.
It's not clear that the proposals now in committee have much hope of being dislodged this session.
Jax Finkel, deputy director of Texas NORML, questioned a decision by Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, chairman of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, not to allow a vote on Moody's civil penalty bill.
Herrero did not respond to a request for comment.
"He does not have to vote for the bill, he just needs to call it for a vote," Finkel said.
Rep. Marisa Marquez, D-El Paso, said her medical marijuana proposal also deserves a vote. The Public Health Committee took five hours of testimony on the proposal, she said.
"This legislation has always been about providing the most vulnerable Texans the choice for their own health, with the guidance of their doctor," she said.
Finkel said NORML is timing rallies during the legislative session to make sure lawmakers understand how widely accepted marijuana has become.
"These rallies are a visual show that Texans across the state want cannabis reform," she said. "Texans are unhappy with the status quo."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana reform on hold - Daily Progress Jacksonville, TX: News
Author: John Austin
Contact: jaustin@cnhi.com
Photo Credit: Emily Tan
Website: Daily Progress Jacksonville, TX
Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, wants to make a civil offense of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana. His bill remains in committee, as does a bill allowing medical uses of marijuana.
"I think I have the votes to bring it out of committee," Moody said. "Unfortunately we are working against the clock."
Measures that don't emerge from committee by May 11 are snuffed out — at least for this legislative session.
In the meantime, one of the country's most prominent marijuana advocates, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, hopes to draw attention to the proposals at five rallies on Saturday - in Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Houston, Lubbock and El Paso - as well as one Sunday in San Antonio. It's planning another event the following weekend in Austin.
Heather Fazio, Texas political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, said the rallies are important in supporting behind-the-scenes work at the Capitol.
"When you see thousands of people in the streets, this reminds people that things are moving along," she said.
While the civil penalty and medical marijuana proposals pose significant enough changes, the most far-reaching measure aims to legalize marijuana possession and delivery.
"To date, there has not been a compelling, scientific argument for prohibiting the possession, use and cultivation of the marijuana plant," said Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, who authored the legalization bill, which is also pending in committee.
Simpson said repeal saves money for law enforcement, spares the "destruction and disruption" of thousands of people busted with marijuana, and will "restore freedom and dignity to all Texans."
The Legislative Budget Board estimates that legalization would add $71 million to the state's bottom line by August 2017. That represents savings from costs of prison, parole and community sentencing programs.
Gov. Greg Abbott and the state Republican Party haven't been convinced, however.
Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican communications strategist, said while the party platform doesn't support legalization, Republican officials and their supporters harbor a variety of opinions.
"Where we have found agreement is on conservative approaches to criminal justice reform - like sentencing, drug courts and reducing the prison population," he said, adding that former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have all supported criminal justice reforms.
A poll last year by the University of Texas and Texas Tribune showed 77 percent of those surveyed support some degree of legalization. Seventeen percent support legalization of possession of any amount, while one-third support legalization of small amounts.
The poll found 28 percent support legalization only for medical purposes.
It's not clear that the proposals now in committee have much hope of being dislodged this session.
Jax Finkel, deputy director of Texas NORML, questioned a decision by Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, chairman of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, not to allow a vote on Moody's civil penalty bill.
Herrero did not respond to a request for comment.
"He does not have to vote for the bill, he just needs to call it for a vote," Finkel said.
Rep. Marisa Marquez, D-El Paso, said her medical marijuana proposal also deserves a vote. The Public Health Committee took five hours of testimony on the proposal, she said.
"This legislation has always been about providing the most vulnerable Texans the choice for their own health, with the guidance of their doctor," she said.
Finkel said NORML is timing rallies during the legislative session to make sure lawmakers understand how widely accepted marijuana has become.
"These rallies are a visual show that Texans across the state want cannabis reform," she said. "Texans are unhappy with the status quo."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana reform on hold - Daily Progress Jacksonville, TX: News
Author: John Austin
Contact: jaustin@cnhi.com
Photo Credit: Emily Tan
Website: Daily Progress Jacksonville, TX
