Marijuana laws in Texas have been a topic of debate and controversy for many years. While some states have fully legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use, Texas has been slow to follow suit. However, recent developments suggest that the state's attitude toward marijuana may be changing.
The Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The bipartisan legislation is an expansion on the state's 2015 "Compassionate Use" law, which has allowed a growing number of patients to access low-THC cannabis oil for medical purposes.
Under the new bill, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana would be punishable by a fine of up to $250, rather than criminal charges. The bill also includes provisions for the expungement of past marijuana convictions.
A Texas Democratic senator brought the issue of marijuana legalization to the Senate floor on Thursday, seeking to attach to an unrelated bill a measure that would have legalized recreational use of the drug. However, the measure was ultimately rejected by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Despite this setback, advocates for marijuana legalization in Texas remain optimistic. The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana and create a process to facilitate cannabis convictions being expunged from criminal records. The bill now heads to the state Senate.
In addition to decriminalization, there have been efforts to legalize medical marijuana in Texas. The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill to allow medical marijuana as an opioid alternative for people with chronic pain and other qualifying conditions. The bill is currently awaiting action in the state Senate.
Voters in Texas's second-most populous city, San Antonio, overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative on Saturday that would have decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. The initiative was opposed by law enforcement officials and conservative groups, who argued that it would lead to increased drug use and crime.
Despite this setback, advocates for marijuana legalization in Texas remain hopeful. The Texas House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill to decriminalize marijuana in the state on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, a separate committee held a hearing on a bill that would legalize marijuana for medical use.
Pro-pot lobbyists say Texas leaders' attitude toward marijuana has shifted in recent years, but work remains on loosening rules. While the state has made some progress in terms of decriminalization and medical use, full legalization of recreational use is still a long way off.
Overall, the state of marijuana laws in Texas is in flux. While there have been some recent victories for advocates of decriminalization and medical use, there is still much work to be done to fully legalize the drug. Only time will tell whether Texas will follow the lead of other states and fully embrace marijuana legalization.
