Next week, the Texas House of Representatives will vote to approve a bill that would allow doctors in Texas to recommend medical cannabis to patients for chronic pain relief.
Rep. Stephanie Klick (R) sponsored the legislation. It would replace the THC limit that was set under the state’s limited medical cannabis law.
After passing the House Public Health Committee, the measure has been brought before the Calendars Committee, which scheduled it for a floor vote on Tuesday, April 11.
This comes just weeks after a separate House committee approved a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession in the State while providing a path for records exoneration.
In the meantime, the medical marijuana expansion legislation would replace one percent THC for cannabis oil with a volumetric dosage of 10 milligrams.
The full House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on legislation to improve the #Texas Compassionate Us Program on 4/11/23.
Ask your Representative to vote YES: https://t.co/H0DburlAei#TexasNORML #NORML #TXLege pic.twitter.com/1ZHV4ABDtA
Texas NORML (@TexasNORML April 7, 2023
It would also include a tenth condition, which would allow patients to use low-THC cannabis products: “A condition that causes pain chronic enough that a doctor would prescribe an opioid.”
The bill also stipulates that the Department of State Health Services could approve by rulemaking additional debilitating medical conditions for patients who are eligible for the cannabis program. The bill, if passed, would become effective on September 1, 2023.
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Texas NORML advocates encourage supporters and to contact their representatives to support the reform.
Advocates would love to see the conservative legislature pass more holistic medical marijuana legislation or abolish prohibition entirely, but the measure is a significant expansion and recognizes the potential for cannabis as an opioid substitute.
The Texas House voted in favor of a cannabis decriminalization bill in 2019. However, it was not approved by the Senate. Since then, lawmakers have been unable to pass any additional extensive cannabis bills during recent sessions.
Governor. Greg Abbott (R), stated that he does not believe people should be imprisoned for low-level marijuana possession. The governor suggested that the policy was already in place by lawmakers last year.
House Speaker Dade Phelan (R), stated in September that he would implement criminal justice reform in 2023 session. He also expressed support for lower penalties for marijuana possession.
The Texas Republican Party adopted an platform plank recommending decriminalization for marijuana possession in 2018. However, that was later repealed.
Last month’s poll found that the majority of Texas voters believe that the state’s marijuana laws need to be “less stringent.”
Three bills were also filed by Texas legislators last month to expand research into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. These measures would be a continuation of the modest psychedelics law that was passed last session.
In Texas, however, there has been an increase in local action regarding marijuana issues over the past few years.
Major cities such as Austin have already implemented decriminalization locally at ballot level. voters also passed reform in five other Texas cities last November.
San Antonio voters will be able to vote on May ballot. This measure will decriminalize marijuana and prevent the enforcement or restriction laws regarding abortion. It also bans no-knock warrants.
Bipartisan Congressional bill Would Force DEA to Allow Patients To Use Psychedelics and Marijuana
The post Texas House Will vote next week on allowing medical marijuana as an opioid alternative and replacing THC limit originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.
