Hundreds of Texas veterans are joining a push to expand the state's medical marijuana law so that it would cover those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
For months, the Texas chapter of the pro-marijuana group NORML has been collecting pill bottles from vets who are frustrated with the number of pills they pop every day. Hundreds will be put on display at the state capitol, in support of a bill filed by San Antonio State Senator Jose Menendez.
Davis Bass, who is an Iraqi war vet and founder of Operation Trapped, says medical marijuana has replaced four pills he takes every day.
"Cannabis takes the place of a pain pill, a muscle relaxer, an anti-inflammation pill and a psychotropic pill," he tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI.
He's also pushing for a meeting with Governor Greg Abbott, to show that they're not just a bunch of pot heads."It's not criminals, outlaws and hippies," he explains. "They're next door neighbors. It's uncles, brothers and young soldiers who are enrolled in all of our Universities on the G.I. bill."
But they face an uphill battle against Gov. Abbott, who in the past has resisted the urge to expand the state's current medical marijuana bill.
"I remain convinced that Texas should not legalize marijuana nor should Texas open the door for conventional marijuana to be used for medical or medicinal purposes,” Abbott said. “As governor I will not allow it," he said last year.
Menendez (D-26) filed SB 269 this session, which would expand Compassionate Use Act. Currently, only a small number of epileptic patients in Texas can use low-THC oil to treat their condition.
A total of 28 states have medical marijuana, including New Mexico.
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