After minor edits the bill has passed out of committee and is on its way to calendars committee to be scheduled for a floor hearing.

From Texas NORML,
“Today at the Capitol, the Public Health Committee approved Rep. Lucio III’s HB 1365, which expands medical access to cannabis. The bill was amended and passed with unanimous support from committee members!

Rep. Lucio’s bill was amended by the committee in several ways, including the establishment of a Cannabis Therapeutic Research Review Board (CTRRB), adding an important in-state research program, and requiring participating doctors to be educated on medical cannabis. The bill also offers ample patient protections, including parental rights and protection for students who need to use cannabis at school. 

Unfortunately, a few of the key changes we wanted to see have been removed. In order to participate, physicians are still required to “prescribe” cannabis. In an attempt to protect doctors, the bill does define “prescription” in a way that offers some state-level protection. Another change maintains the low cap (.5%) on THC. However, the CTRRB will have the authority and duty to “determine the formulations and dosages, including rations of cannabinoids, that are medically appropriate for patients with particular debilitating medical conditions.” This means we can work with the Board to increase THC levels/ratios, rather than having to pass a law to do so.

So it’s time for you to pick up the phone. And instead of browsing social media, call your representative. It will take less than 5 min to tell them a script that TX NORML has been generous enough to think up. It doesn’t have to be exactly what they stated, but the main points in their script should be stated. You are a constituent, you desire (do not demand) them to co-author H-B thirteen-sixty-five, and you desire for them to vote yes when it comes to a vote on the house floor. If your representative is already sponsoring or co-authoring the bill, thank them for their support.

What’s next?

1. Once the bill is reported the Calendars Committee, it’ll be scheduled for debate and a vote by the House of Representatives. Call your representative now using the instructions in the provided link created by TX NORML.
2. Ask your Texas State Senator to support SB 90! Texas patients need safe access to medical marijuana.
3. Did you miss our big lobby day in February? Here is your second chance to participate. Join TX NORML on April 23rd to lobby for sensible marijuana policy at the Texas State Capitol!
4. Texas NORML is more than halfway to their crowdfunding goal. Will you pitch toward their efforts at the Capitol? (Thank you!)
5. Join TX NORML and Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy for Direct Actions meetings at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24th and Wednesday, May 1st. We will be distributing information to all of the legislative offices.

Don’t be lazy Texas. Get this done.