Good news for medical marijuana patients in Texas

Published: July 28, 2004

At its annual statewide convention, held at the end of June in Houston, the Texas Democratic Party officially endorsed protecting medical marijuana patients from the threat of arrest and imprisonment. The resolution supports removing criminal penalties for "bona fide patients and providers of therapeutic marijuana/cannabis." MPP would like to congratulate Texans for Medical Marijuana (TMM), which played a major role in passing the resolution.

Now a full plank in the Texas Democratic platform, the resolution is a leap forward in the effort to protect Texans who use medical marijuana from arrest and prosecution. It's time for Texas to stop treating its medical marijuana patients like common criminals.

Please take a few moments to Take Action. After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically e-mail your letter to your legislators … all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes, but it makes a world of difference. Also, you can print the letters and send them to your legislators through regular mail.

And if you want to volunteer to work with TMM, or to receive its e-mail alerts, be sure to contact Noelle Davis either by e-mail or by calling 512-220-9209.

The news of the Democratic endorsement follows two key events. In May, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) adopted a resolution supporting the right of physicians to discuss marijuana as a treatment option. Earlier that month, Rep. Elliot Naishtat (D-Austin) told a reporter that a medical marijuana bill will be introduced in the 2005 session, though he did not say by whom. In 2001, Naishtat sponsored a medical marijuana bill and was joined by Rep. Suzanna Hupp (R-Lampasas) and now-Senator Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen).

To read more about the Texas Democrats' position or the TMA's resolution, click here.

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