Texas Cannabis Legalization Update

Photo courtesy of Texas House of Representatives official site 

Texas has been on a roller-coaster ride lately when it comes
to legalization. First, they had a bill in the works for full-scale
reform causing hopes to climb high, and in turn, all
hope got killed. However, in the wake of that disappointment was a major
victory for legalizing CBD oil.

Recently, two bills that would allow for decriminalization
leading to full-scale legalization were shot down in the Texas House of
Representatives. Firstly, the House crushed Bill 507, which would have
decriminalized cannabis and made possession punishable only by a $250 fine. Shortly
after, the House trampled all over Bill 2165, which would have ended
prohibition entirely and called for cannabis to be regulated like any other
substance. This bill would have been huge, as it would have made Texas the next
state with full legalization, however, it looks like they just weren’t ready.

Directly after that disappointing news, however, the House
OK’d Bill 892 and Senate Bill 339, legalizing CBD oil for patients with extreme
seizure disorders. According to an article for KXAN, the house approved the bill
despite their conservative leanings, on the basis that it only allows for very
low-THC cannabis that is medical-only. Apparently, parents of children
suffering from rare seizure conditions like Dravet’s Syndrome petitioned the
legislature, and it worked. Patients who want to obtain CBD oil will need a
doctor’s prescription.

While some may see this recent activity as an overall
negative, it is important to bear in mind that Texas is a historically
conservative state with a Republican-controlled government, and change will
happen slowly. Hopefully, this can be the first step for full-scale
legalization in this great state. And for now, at least those who seek low-THC
medical alternatives do not have to wait any longer for the help they need.