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The 85th Legislative session has begun in Texas and marijuana is expected to be a leading topic. Lawmakers pre-filed bills, so the state has plenty to discuss regarding marijuana. In 2015, the Compassionate Use Act was passed, which is a step in the right direction, but only aids those with severe epilepsy in obtaining CBD oil.
Some legislators want to help those with other severe health conditions, according to 12 News Now. One Texas resident hopes for reform as he is not seeing results with his chronic pain management plan. In fact, it has caused him more health problems like chronic pancreatitis.
Jeremy Hale was crushed at work in an accident several years ago. He said, “This isn’t just discomfort. This is suffering. It’s horrible. I was put on chronic pain management. It does take away a lot of the nausea. It makes it so that I have an appetite. I’m actually able to eat without the pain.”
Some advocates want Texas to be more lenient regarding marijuana – similar to what Colorado has done. Others don’t believe that Texas is ready for that yet; they believe baby steps are the right approach.
The state has 11 bills to consider, in both the House and Senate. House Bill 58 is one in discussion, to create a specialty court for those possessing an ounce of marijuana or less.
James White, who filed House Bill 58, said, “I’m tough on crime, but you have to do it the right way or you’ll have no money to do anything in crime. If you’re going to lock someone up, the primary concern should be they are a threat to our life or liberty. If they’re not, then we need to go into some other thoughtful process.”
Corey Mendes, Southeast Texas NORMAL director, said, “The people should be able to decide what should be legal or not legal and help with the laws. Texans would be able to say whether or not they wanted it, not representatives who are in the pockets of special interests.”
Mendes hopes that of the bills discussed that Senate Joint Resolutions 17 and 18 would be approved for public vote. He doesn’t think that Texans are ready for legal recreational marijuana yet either, but thinks that medical marijuana would be attainable first.
