Texas has taken a positive marijuana step
Offering what he said would be “healing and hope for children who are afflicted by relentless seizures caused by epilepsy,” Gov.Greg Abbott signed legislation Monday legalizing low-THC cannabis oils as treatment for certain medical conditions.
The Texas Compassionate Use Act from state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, will legalize oils containing CBD, a non-euphoric component of marijuana known to treat epilepsy and other chronic medical conditions. The state will regulate and distribute the oils to patients whose symptoms have not responded to federally approved medication.
Senate Bill 339 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to license at least three dispensing organizations by Sept. 1, 2017, provided that at least that many applicants have met the state’s requirements. According to the bill’s author, dispensaries will function similar to compounding pharmacies. Only a neurologist or epileptologist will be able to prescribe CBD oil. The law will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2015.
So how did this happen is the very conservative Texas Legislature? Texas had a vigorous debate with many conservatives using limited government arguments as many tried to support full legalization bills. Ultimately those that supported full legalization lost in public though many congresspersons behind the scenes are supportive.
According to governor Abbott recreational marijuana will not be legalized while he is governor.
Abbott says Texas won’t legalize marijuana for medicinal or recreational use for as long as he’s in office.
Before signing the bill, Abbott stressed that the new law does give any ground to broader marijuana legalization efforts and the CBD compound doesn’t produce a high.
“It will however provide healing and hope for children that are afflicted by unrelenting seizures caused by epilepsy,” Abbott said.
“I remain convinced that Texas should not legalize marijuana nor should Texas open the door for conventional marijuana to be used for medical or medicinal purposes,” Abbott said. “As governor I will not allow it.”
Don’t believe it. There is a movement in Texas that is gaining steam. It is likely that marijuana will be legal in Texas sooner than later. As more progressives vote, the political culture will change.