Texans Come to the Capitol to Support Marijuana Penalty Reduction.
Texans from all over the state were in Austin to voice their strong support for decriminalization in Texas! Speaker Pro Tempore Joe Moody laid out the framework of his bill which would institute a civil penalty for low-level marijuana possession. Moody was followed by testimony from Judges, District Attorneys, Law Enforcement, addiction specialists, Rice’s Baker Institute, Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas, ACLU of Texas, Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition, and more – all in support of this common-sense reform!
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There were only two law enforcement officials that gave verbal testimony in opposition and one who testified on the bill. Their testimony attempted to continue fear based dialog that supports the status quo. Expert testimony strongly refuted their misinformation effectively and legislators questioned the officer’s data. Truly, times are changing in Texas!
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Right now, we have strong bipartisan support for reform in the Texas Legislature and a record setting number of bills have been introduced for consideration. There’s a very small window to make this happen before the session ends in May. It will take all of us doing this important work to get across the finish line! Find out what the next steps are.
Watch the hearing here. It starts at 41:00 minutes. View pictures from the hearing here.
News Coverage:
Texas Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Gets Committee Hearing – Marijuana Moment
Decriminalization bill gets first hearing in Texas House – Houston Chronicle