Drug Policy Forum of Texas                     

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Texas News

 

81st Legislature



By Suzanne Wills, Drug Policy Chair

suzy@dpft.org

The League has positions on two drug policy reform bills that will be introduced in the 2009 session of the Texas Legislature. Both bills were introduced in the 2007 Legislature but were not given hearings in House public health committee. That committee will have a new chair in 2009.

Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) will introduce SB 188 to allow all county public health departments to operate sterile syringe programs. Providing sterile syringes to addicts is among the most effective and certainly least expensive methods of curbing the spread of blood borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. A similar bill passed the full Senate in 2007.

HB 164, which would make medical use of cannabis an affirmative defense against a charge of marijuana possession, will be introduced by Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin). Texas makes no distinction between recreational and medicinal marijuana smokers. Under this bill patients who are arrested would need to show that a doctor recommended marijuana use. If so, they could avoid conviction, probation, and further incarceration.

I am aware of one other drug policy bill that will be introduced. It is not a reform bill and LWVTX does not have a position on it. Charles (Doc) Anderson (R-Waco) will introduce HB 126 to make possession of Salvia divinorum a crime. Salvia divinorum is a mild hallucinogenic herb.

Please ask your representatives to support SB 188 and HR 164. Mention that the League of Women Voters of Texas supports this legislation in your letters, emails and phone calls.

Link your Randall's/Tom Thumb Reward Card to our account.  The store will pay us a percentage of your purchases.  Our number is 9656.

Kroger will donate an amount equal to 1% of your purchases to DPFT.   You must have your DPFT Share Card scanned at the time of purchase.  The cards are the size of a business card.  They should be kept with or attached to your Kroger Plus card.  Contact suzy@dpft.org to get a card.


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