Time ran out in the Texas House late Thursday on a proposed law that would have reduced the penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana in the state to below that of most traffic tickets. A midnight deadline passed without the full House taking up House Bill 81 for initial consideration, meaning it and […]
Texas
Support for Legal Marijuana in Texas Is on the Rise
Opposition to legal marijuana is dropping in Texas, with fewer than one in five respondents to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll saying they are against legalization in any form. Support for marijuana only for medical use has dropped over the last two years, but support for legalization for private use — both in […]
These 11 States May Change Their Marijuana Laws in 2017
After four states legalized recreational marijuana last year and twice that many approved new medical marijuana laws, at least eleven more are considering changing their laws in 2017. Here are the states and the legislation they’re proposing: 1. Connecticut Not only are lawmakers hoping to expand Connecticut’s five-year-old medical marijuana legislation, but Martin Looney, the […]
Houston DA Denounces Prosecuting Minor Marijuana Offenses
When it comes to cannabis, Texas is one of the unfriendliest states in America. Recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, CBD (the non-psychoactive cannabis extract) and even hemp are all still prohibited in the Lone Star State. But the largest city in Texas is moving in the direction of decriminalization. Marijuana will remain illegal in Houston, but […]
On First Day Allowed, Texas Lawmakers File Multiple Marijuana Decriminalization Bills
Only a week after several other states including Florida and California voted to weaken marijuana restrictions, some Texas lawmakers are moving in the same direction. Texas legislators presented several proposals to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in the first day of bill filing for the 2017 legislative session. Introduced in the bills are proposals that […]
Texas Businesses Can Benefit From Decriminalizing Marijuana
Texans who are arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana shouldn’t be locked out of jobs and haunted by minor lapses in judgment for the rest of their lives, business and legislative leaders say. As acceptance of marijuana — medical and otherwise — grows nationally and in Texas, members of both major political parties in […]
Survey Finds That 68% of Texans Favor Cannabis Decriminalization
AUSTIN, TX — Over two thirds of Texas voters support decriminalizing marijuana in the Lone Star State, according to the latest statewide poll released Wednesday. The University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, which asked voters about a variety of political topics, found 68% of respondents support replacing criminal penalties for marijuana possession with a civil violation and fine. Only 26% […]
How Texas Became a New Front in the War Over Marijuana Legalization
Shortly before 10 p.m. on a Wednesday in April, Tammy Castro was describing the heartbreaking story of her son’s losing battle against drug abuse. The crowded Capitol conference room, packed with marijuana-rights activists, fell silent. Marijuana started her son on a downward spiral to his death, Castro said, holding back tears. “If you pass this […]
Dear Texas Gov. Abbott: Never Say Never to Medical Marijuana
Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill allowing epilepsy patients to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana. Could this be the toe in the water for legal medical marijuana use in Texas? Not as long as Abbott is governor, he vows. How disappointing. If you had asked me at the […]
Texas Governor Says That He’ll Sign Limited Medical Marijuana Bill
Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling that he will sign into law a bill allowing epilepsy patients to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana. Abbott issued a news advisory Sunday announcing a Monday bill signing ceremony with the authors of Senate Bill 339 — Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, and Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth. Under […]
