Got Weed? Texas State Senator Files To Legalize Medicinal Marijuana In The Lone Star State

As Texas slowly transitions from a deep-red state to a hint of purple, a state senator once again tapped into his inner Wooderson. With a new legislation beginning in less than two months, San Antonio Senator José Menéndez's office announced he has already filed a bill that would legalize medicinal marijuana in the Lone Star State.

"Senate Bill 90 (is) a comprehensive and compassionate medical cannabis bill," his office said in a press release this week. "The proposed legislation would increase the number of debilitating medical conditions that qualify for the Texas Compassionate Use Program."

As fellow Texan Matthew McConaughey's character (David Wooderson) said in the movie 'Dazed and Confused,' "It'd be a whole lot cooler if you did."

Texas experienced a small, blue ripple in the midterm election, mostly fueled by college-aged enthusiasts and the charge of U.S. Senate-hopeful Beto O'Rourke, who now could have White House ambitions.

Should Senate Bill 90 make it through the Republican-heavy Senate and House in Texas — and across Gov. Greg Abbott's desk — then Texas would become the 33rd state to allow medical marijuana for patients who qualify.

If passed, then doctors can prescribe medical cannabis like any other medicine.

"Doctors, not politicians, should determine what is best for Texas patients," Sen. Menéndez said. "Studies have proven that cannabis is a legitimate medicine that can help a of variety Texans including, individuals suffering from opioid addiction, veterans coping with PTSD, cancer patients and people on the autism spectrum.

"Texas should provide real relief for our suffering patients. Patients should not be arrested for using a medicine that is legal in every state that borders Texas, including conservative states like Oklahoma and Arkansas.

"The legislature must act and provide medical freedom to those who need it this most."

This isn't the first go-round filing a cannabis bill for Menéndez. In 2015 he filed Senate Bill 1839, and then there was Senate Bill 269 in 2017.

Menéndez also co-authored Senate Bill 339, allowing for limited cannabis use for people with intractable epilepsy. This law was to assist treatment in addition to traditional medicines that do not work to control the seizures.

The next Texas legislative session begins in January 2019.

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