The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill that allows medical marijuana to be used as an opioid alternative for chronic pain sufferers. It also replaces the state’s THC limit.
After giving the measure its initial approval on the floor , the full chamber approved the measure by Rep. Stephanie Klick (R).
This vote comes just weeks after a separate House panel unanimously voted for a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession in the State while also providing a path for records exoneration.
The medical marijuana expansion legislation passed the House Public Health Committee. It would replace the one-percent THC limit for cannabis oil with a volumetric dosage of 10 milligrams.
It would also increase eligibility for low-THC cannabis products by legalizing access for patients suffering from chronic pain.
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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It is not certain what the Senate will do with this measure. The House-passed cannabis legislation in the House has been blocked by the Senate, which is headed by an anti-legalization Lt. Governor. Dan Patrick (R).
Texas NORML advocates have encouraged supporters to contact their legislators and urge them to approve 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 However, that was later repealed.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.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
The post Texas House passes bill to allow medical marijuana as an opioid alternative and replace THC limit, sending it to Senate appeared originally on Marijuana moment.
