The Texas House of Representatives recently made strides towards marijuana legalization by passing bills that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, facilitate expungements, and allow chronic pain patients to access medical cannabis. While these bills will still need to go through the Senate and be signed by the governor before becoming law, the fact that Texas is even having serious conversations about marijuana legalization is a significant shift.
For years, Texas has had some of the harshest drug laws in the country, with possession of even small amounts of marijuana being punishable by jail time. However, attitudes towards marijuana have been changing across the country, and Texas is no exception. In fact, the state has already taken some steps towards medical marijuana legalization with the 2015 "Compassionate Use" law, which allows certain patients to access low-THC cannabis oil.
The recent House-passed bills are an expansion of this law, with the goal of making it easier for patients to access medical cannabis and reducing the criminalization of marijuana possession. While these bills may not go as far as full legalization, they are still an important step towards ending the war on drugs in Texas.
However, not all lawmakers are on board with these bills. Two other bills that would have decriminalize and expanded medical marijuana use in Texas died in the Senate, despite bipartisan support. The lieutenant governor has also been outspoken in his opposition to marijuana legalization, calling it a "gateway drug" and expressing concerns about the impact on public health and safety.
Despite these challenges, many in Texas are hopeful that marijuana legalization could become a reality in the near future. For the first time ever, lawmakers are seriously considering legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use, with bipartisan legislation being introduced to that effect. While it remains to be seen whether this legislation will pass, the fact that it is being discussed at all is a sign of changing attitudes towards marijuana in Texas.
In addition to lawmakers, those in the marijuana industry are also celebrating the possibility of legalization in Texas. April 20, or 4/20, is a holiday celebrated by marijuana enthusiasts around the world, and this year it had special significance in Texas. As law changes loom, many in the industry are hopeful that they will soon be able to legally sell and consume marijuana in Texas.
Of course, there are still many challenges and obstacles to overcome before full legalization can become a reality in Texas. One issue that has arisen is the proliferation of cannabis-based edibles and vapes, which are thriving legally in Texas despite the fact that marijuana is still illegal. This has caught schools, police, and lawmakers by surprise, and could complicate efforts to legalize marijuana in the state.
Despite these challenges, there is still reason to be hopeful about the future of marijuana legalization in Texas. With growing support from lawmakers and the public, it seems that it is only a matter of time before the state joins the growing number of states that have legalize marijuana in some form.
