Texas House Speaker Joe Straus hasn't taken a position on several bills introduced this year to legalize or decriminalize different types of marijuana possession, but Straus may have made a quiet nod in favor of a greater easing of pot laws with yesterday's committee appointments, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Straus named State Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) to head the powerful House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
That's where the marijuana bills wll go for hearings, and Heather Fazio, who heads the Marijuana Policy Project says his record on marijuana normalization proposals is a good one.
"He is supportive of recalibrating low level possession in Texas," Fazio said. "He introduced H.B. 81, which would institute a civil penalty for a low level amount."
There are several different marijuana normalization bills introduced in the current term, from complete recreational legalization to limited use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Many bills, like Moody's would 'decriminalize' possession of small amounts of marijuana, generally under two ounces, and make it a civil offense, like a parking ticket, and completely remove it from the criminal justice system. Another bill aims to keep arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana out of the system by setting up special courts that would sentence offenders to community service.
There are also bills to allow wider use of marijuana for medical purposes, especially to treat PTSD and other emotional issues.And there are proposals, none formally introduced yet, to allow legal recreational use of marijuana, as is now done in eight states.
Fazio says Moody is open to considering marijuana normalization measures."This is where the marijuana law reform bills will be considered, and having his support in the chairman's position will help to advance the cause," she said.
Gov. Greg Abbott has repeatedly said he will not sign any measure legalizing marijuana any further in Texas. He said his signature on a bill passed in 2015 to allow small amounts of refined cannabis oil for treatment of certain seizure disorders is as far as he is wiling to go in that direction.
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