Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently turned heads in his traditionally conservative state after making a tweet in support of medical cannabis. During the most recent legislative session, two such drug reform bills have made their way through to the Governor’s desk. The first would be a bill expanding medical marijuana programs throughout the state, while the second was focused on the therapeutic qualities of psychedelic substances for military veterans. In a tweet from his official Twitter handle, Governor Abbott stated, “Veterans could qualify for medical marijuana under new law. I will sign it.”
The details of HB 1535 include the addition of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis patients. The measure passed in the House with a provision for chronic pain as a qualifying condition, but that was later stricken from the bill by the Senate. Additionally, the legislation doubled the amount of THC allowed to be included in marijuana products, from 0.5 percent to one percent. The House had bigger aims in mind with five percent. Again, the senate tempered that expectation before presenting a final revision.
As for HB 1802, the bill requires the state to study the medical risks and benefits of psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine. The research will be conducted in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and a military-focused medical center with the intent to relieve symptoms associated with several conditions experienced by military veterans. The bill will focus primarily on psilocybin for veterans according to an amendment added by the House, with a secondary focus on research for all three of the aforementioned substances.
Texas has experienced an especially busy legislative session this year. It is one that paid particular focus on drug policy reform. While the medical cannabis and psychedelic research bills are hailed by most as great steps towards progress, many lawmakers have been left disappointed that more expansive cannabis bills failed to progress through the state legislature. The most notable example included a decriminalization proposal that passed the House but failed to progress in the Senate.
Legal cannabis advocacy groups, such as Texas’ chapter of NORML, have been particularly vocal at the state’s unwillingness to look at legalizing cannabis more seriously while states around the country open up new markets. Despite not making as much progress as other states in the US, these groups understand that progress is happening, even if the fight for cannabis reform is far from over.
Jax Finkel, executive director of Texas NORML, offered his thoughts on the recent session, stating “This session has been an epic whirlwind with many adversities. While we have made some improvements to the laws this session, what we are most proud of is our team. We were repeatedly told no, that our bills were dead or that they wouldn’t give us any more. Texas pushed back!”
Additional bills emerged this session but failed to progress through the legislature. These included legislation on hemp products, cannabis concentrates, delta-8 THC products, and cannabis’ role in determining child welfare and potential removal from homes where parents test positive for THC.
Deep South Supports Decriminalization
This month in Louisiana, decriminalization of cannabis was signed into law, House Bill 652, by Governor John Bell Edwards. The bill effectively provides reworked penalties for possession of marijuana, amends criminal penalties for a first or subsequent conviction of possession of marijuana, and outlines penalties for the possession of certain amounts and associated penalties.
In a statement released on his Twitter, Governor Edwards stated, “I have signed HB 652, which contrary to the narrative developed in the press and elsewhere, does not decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, 14 grams or less. Anyone convicted of this crime will now be subject to a maximum penalty of $100 instead of being exposed to parish prison time. This is not a decision I took lightly. In addition to carefully reviewing the bill, I also believe deeply that the state of Louisiana should no longer incarcerate people for minor legal infractions, especially those that are legal in many states that can ruin lives and destroy families, as well as cost taxpayers greatly. This measure passed Louisiana’s Legislature with bipartisan support following a robust discussion of the toll of over-incarceration on our people and state. Taking this action is another step forward for Louisiana’s criminal justice reform efforts.”
While cannabis possession of up to 14 grams still comes with a penalty in Louisiana, many will attest that this effort is a step in the right direction in criminal justice reform.
In addition to HB 652, Louisiana’s governor also approved legislation, HB 391, which affords cannabis to medical marijuana patients in raw and crude forms. This includes whole-plant cannabis flower.
