Wishful thinking that is not as far off as the title suggests. Texas finds herself on the edge of territory that has been unforeseen since the '70s. Could there ever be a Legal Marijuana Program in the State of Texas? If you were to ask this question ten years ago, you would a very different answer that you would get today. Well let's get introduce to two voices from the side of "Yes We Can". From East Texas by way of Longview we have State Representative David Simpson, who just so happens to be a Republican. And from West Texas by way of El Paso we have Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke who is the U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th congressional district and a Democrat.
Rare winds seem to be blowing in from the east. It is not everyday that you hear a Republican from (anywhere in)Texas on the side of Marijuana legalization. Let alone talk about making money off of it. Rick Perry made mention of decriminalization toward the end of his tenure because of the high profile Williamson County pot brownie case but all that came out of it was a quote. Our current Governor claims that he carries the current tone of there is no scientific medical value for it. A stance that I believe he will not be able to hold for long as society begins to shift. As the laws begin to loosen up, many politicians, sensing the changing winds, have began to switch sides of the debate as more and more information becomes available. Representative Simpson is one of those politicians. He, unlike former Gov. Perry, set forth a bill that would have repeal the current Marijuana offenses (A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to repealing marihuana offenses.). "All that God created is good, including marijuana. God did not make a mistake when he made marijuana that the government needs to fix," he said. "Let's allow the plant to be utilized for good -- helping people with seizures, treating warriors with PTSD, producing fiber and other products -- or simply for beauty and enjoyment. Government prohibition should be for violent actions that harm your neighbor -- not of the possession, cultivation, and responsible use of plants." With those words, the State Representative made his position known.
Beto O'Rourke I would you suggest that you stop by his page because it would take a lot time putting down his feats. (Congressman Beto O'Rourke Official website of the) I view him as a sign of hope in the Texas Democrat Party. Head has major headway since entering the United States House of Representatives. "I will be getting more involved ... but I will do so through the perspective of the community I represent," O'Rourke said in an interview Friday. "I have three kids. I never want them to use it. I want to do everything I can to keep them away from it. But I've come to the conclusion that I stand a far better chance as a parent of controlling their exposure to that if it is controlled, if it's taxed." This quote comes from a great Huffington post article from last year( Rep. Beto O'Rourke Says He Will 'Be Getting More Involved' In Legalizing Marijuana).
I believe that both of these men can create great change in the way that the state of Texas handles minor drug cases. Beto and his colleagues in the U.S. House are writing and filing many different bills, from how and who can handle money from legal marijuana businesses to safe access to the medical treatment. No person should have to leave their home state and become a refugee in another when that person's home state has the capability to help heal them. Beto's work at the federal level is what is giving these so called conservatives the courage to speak up. The Hope here in Texas is by 2017 we will have a medical program and full legalization by 2019. All things are possible. I do not think it is only the politician that have to change. The people of the society have to change as well. That is already happening, hence why this conversation is getting louder and louder in both the Texas and the Federal Congress.
What I fear is that the politicians by some miracle write a bill that makes sense and covers all that it needs to cover, then gets defeated because there was not enough votes to pass it {this has already happened in several states}. Texas is notorious for low voter turnout, especially in non-presidential years. The greater challenge is getting people to the ballot box where decisions like these are ultimately decided. All in All, things are looking up for the end of marijuana prohibition. We have a heavy hitting U.S. Rep. not only looking out for his voting block but the entire country and an unlikely ally in a God Fearing East Texan State Rep. Unity is the key and it is accomplishable if all parties can come together.
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