The Weed Blog gets a lot of readers from Texas, and many of them contact me asking when I think marijuana will be legal in Texas. I always have to give them the bad news that since Texas does not have an initiative process, it’s going to be harder to end marijuana prohibition in Texas than it is in many other states. Unlike Colorado and Washington, which legalized marijuana via the voter initiative process, the only option for Texas is to legalize via the legislature.
But before people get too sad about the prospects of legalization in Texas, realize that there are some very hardworking people on the ground trying to lobby for change. A new NORML chapter has started in El Paso, Texas, and it sounds like there was a good turnout for the first meeting. US Congressman Beto O’Rourke and state Senator José Rodriguez spoke at the event, which had roughly 150 people in attendance.
Possession of any amount of marijuana in Texas is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Of course, if you get busted for marijuana, you also lose your driving privilege for awhile and if you are a college student, you can kiss your financial aid goodbye. Getting busted in Texas for marijuana is no joke. It’s clearly time for reform.
There are no less than 13 NORML chapters in Texas now, and I’d like to see them get as much support as possible. Trying to convince politicians to vote for marijuana reform in Texas will be no easy task. I tip my hat to the new chapter in El Paso, as well as every other NORML chapter that is fighting for reform in Texas. If you live in Texas, consider joining one of these chapters so that you can get active and fight for what’s right!
