Texas House Bill 2200 has been scheduled for a hearing!
Monday, May 24th: Criminal Jurisprudence Committee to Consider HB 2200
House Bill 2200, authored by Representative Gina Hinojosa (D – 49), would offer an affirmative defense regarding medical cannabis that would protect patients, caregivers and doctors. This bill would not legalize medical marijuana nor create safe access but would allow for patients to defend themselves if arrested with their medicine and would allow for doctors to freely discuss cannabis options with their patients without fear of losing their licenses. The bill will be considered by the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Monday, April 24th.
Call to Action!
1) Contact your legislators in support of HB 2200.
2) To show your support for the bill, come to the Texas State Capitol and sign up in support of HB 2200. You can register your support starting at 8 a.m. and until the conclusion the hearing. (Instructions and a video demo.) You can join us in Room E2.o22 starting at 2pm.
3) Provide the committee a testimonial if you have personal or professional experience. Testimony can be provided several ways: written and submitted via email to the committee clerk (rachel.wetsel_hc@house.texas.gov), one-page written/printed (12 copies) and submitted in person on the day of the hearing, or verbally to the committee (2-3 minutes). If you email to the clerk, please make sure that your testimony is attached to your email so they can easily print your testimony for distribution.
When visiting the Capitol, please always dress professionally.
The docket for the day has 23 bills on it. We anticipate having a large volume of witnesses, so we strongly encourage that you streamline your testimony as much as possible and do not repeat anything that has already been covered. If you have a group, you can consider one person speaking on behalf of the group. It is best to simply register your support. If you do, it will only take an hour of your time!
Please note that this hearing will be regarding giving an affirmative defense to patients / caregivers and protecting doctors who choose to discuss cannabis, not about the medical efficacy of the cannabis plant. If you are a patient that has been arrested with your medicine or you are a medical professional that has your hands tied regarding the conversations you can have with your patients, we encourage you to share your testimony.
If you plan to stay and testify in person, please let me know so we can coordinate testimony, and please bring 12 copies of your printed testimony to submit to the committee clerk. You can join us in Room E2.o22 starting at 2pm. (Capitol Parking Info and ADA Accessibility Guide)
Unable to travel to Austin? You can still help! Contact your legislators in support of sensible marijuana policy. Also, follow this Facebook event for live updates and a link to the live stream when it is available.