Texas push to decriminalize pot falters despite GOP support

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Texas push to decriminalize pot falters despite GOP support

By CLARICE SILBER
April 30, 2019

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ tough stance on marijuana as pot in the U.S. becomes increasingly legal has grounded a bipartisan push in the state to decriminalize minor offenses — a change the Texas GOP platform has come around to endorsing, but not Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

It all but ensures that Texas will remain in the company of more than a dozen states where possessing any amount of pot can result in a criminal record. A Democrat leading the decriminalization effort said political realities in the Texas Capitol forced him to weaken his bill ahead of a key House vote.

The chamber passed the measure on a 98-43 vote on Monday, drawing support from both sides of the aisle.

The revised measure would reduce penalties for those with an ounce or less of marijuana to a Class C misdemeanor — eliminating arrests, but still making possession a crime.

The failure of the bill’s original language underscores how politically resistant Texas’ GOP leaders are to relaxing marijuana laws, even a year after voters in neighboring Oklahoma fully legalized medical marijuana.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/2247b6f0e94544a5bdda294d4294a9e7

[BootinUp]

1. How bout some dueling banjos instead

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Behind the times I see. There is a widespread acceptance of pot across the country but ...

not in gop strongholds. The gop is so behind the times, is so behind in its reading and studying of all things important that it deserves to lose all house seats, all government offices. But wait, just grab a bottle of that fine whiskey and that's okay!

[Aristus]

3. If Abbott is not taking campaign contributions or kick-backs from the private prison

industry, I'll eat my hat.

[GWC58]

4. That AND the pharmaceutical industry, as well.

Keep electing Republicans and this is what you get. Just the other day I attended a parade, my son is in his middle school band, in Oxford, Maryland. My two state reps, both Republicans, were in this parade. Their presence was announced and people started clapping. I said, out loud, “I can’t, and won’t, applaud Senator Eckhardt. She wants to jail people for cannabis possession, no matter how much, or little.” 😳😡