Among the over 330 platform planks approved at this past week's Texas Republican Convention were some new, and to some, surprising ones endorsing the decriminalization of marijuana, medical marijuana, and industrial hemp. Delegates also approved platform language that calls for the Federal government to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug (along with heroin and cocaine) to Schedule II.
The San Antonio convention approved language that supports decriminalizing cannabis possession, lowering the punishment from six months in prison and a $2000 fine to a $100 fine.
They also approved platform language seeking to amend the states 2015's Compassionate Use Act — which allows Texans with intractable epilepsy to purchase and use low-THC cannibidiol oil to treat the condition - so that doctors can "determine the appropriate use of cannabis for certified patients."
Industrial hemp got a shout-out from the party, too, with a plank recognizing industrial hemp as a "valuable agricultural commodity" and urges state lawmakers to pass measures "allowing cultivation, manufacture, and sale of industrial hemp and hemp products."
All of the resolutions passed with overwhelming support, winning upwards of 80 percent of the vote among Texas Republican delegates. The votes seem to reflect trends among voters. An April Quinnipiac poll found that 61 percent of the state’s voters approve of full legalization with 43 percent support among Texas Republicans.
Reason magazine reported that the change complements efforts being made on the local level in Texas. In December 2017, the city of Dallas dispensed with arresting people on misdemeanor marijuana charges. Kim Ogg, district attorney for Harris County (which includes the city of Houston) has gone even further. As of March 2017, her office is declining to prosecute most marijuana offenses and instead diverting people into "cognitive decision-making classes."
It's unclear whether state legislators - or even Republican candidates - will get fully behind these platform planks, or whether they will remain simply advisory. The platform is not binding on candidates, but some, such as those dealing with hot-button issues like abortion, are pretty much treated as Gospel by all candidates.
Photo: Potguide.com
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