Marijuana Policy Project

2009 marks yet another year with yet another bill, aimed toward legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. But, wait a minute. Aren't we the ones always decrying the beating of a dead horse, namely, the drug war? So, why is "our side" dragging out yet another doomed medi-pot bill, HB 164? As of today, "our side" is unable to persuade anyone to write a companion bill. A bill cannot pass into law without a companion bill. D.O.A. HB 164 doesn't have any sponsors, as yet, although there are several pro-medical cannabis supporters in our Texas legislature. So, where are these heroic, intelligent individuals?

They are bored, that's where they are. They are unmotivated. Maybe they'll get on board this year, and maybe they won't. Chances are, they wont hear too awful much feedback from their constituents, either way, except the usual batch of form letters, supplied to us, and our representatives, courtesy of our own big organizations. After all, this is one of hundreds of bills that appear in committee each year, and never even make it out onto the floor to be voted on.  Except for the few that do not get resubmitted in any form, these kind of bills are the lowest of the low. Certainly, they don't rank up there with the bills that almost got passed last session, nor of the "sure to be passed" darlings that already have tons of sponsors, representatives who pledge to vote in favor of said bill. No, our bills invoke barely more than a yawn to those on our side in congress. To those not on our side, our bills scare the living daylights out of them. They either believe that our bills will lead to social disaster of some mysterious sort, or they have ulterior motives (these would be in the minority), such as drug companies being major contributors.

But, we are not asleep when it comes to getting our bills passed! We are not corrupt, nor uneducated. HB 164 is OUR bill; it protects US, our fellow Texans, our friends, family, and yes, every citizen. Texas needs to recognize some financial benefits, medical cannabis patients need to be able to benefit from their medication in safety and security, to the greatest extent the law will allow! Nobody benefits from throwing sick people into jail!

Our side can't keep letting yawns and lies dwell on our state's glowing Capitol Building. Maybe you've had the privilege of driving past this majestic landmark on a starry, clear night. It's inspiring. It's where lives are changed — where our lives are changed, and where the quality of our lives is changed. We hadn't ought to be sitting around just letting such changes occur without our input or direction. Just voting is not enough. Whomever we vote on will never vote our way all the time. That's why we must tell them whenever something very important comes before them. We must tell them how we want them to vote.

Please join Operation Contact Hi!, a weekly contact list containing 4 people or places you can contact to help get HB 164 passed. Each year, our bills die in committee because we fail to breathe life into them. This year, "give the gift of life". Help save Texas!!