Category: State Efforts

Crazy? Crazy Am I? Well Here’s To The Crazy Ones

I recently rewatched the tv show “Crazy Ones.” It was a one season series starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Geller as advertising execs. In the first episode, Geller explains the Apple “Think Different” campaign is what inspired her to follow her father’s footsteps in advertising.   If you have never watched it I highly […]

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Secret Committee Denies RAMP a Booth at GOP Convention Without Explanation

The Republican Party brands itself as representative of the grassroots, transparent, and in favor of limited government. Unfortunately, the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) failed to adhere to these standards with its recent rejection of Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition’s booth at our state party convention in May. RAMP is led by dedicated and proven Republican […]

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Time for marijuana policy reform in Texas

Phillip Martin is deputy director for Progress Texas. Zoe Russell is assistant executive director of Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition. Our groups are two of over 25 coalition members of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy. Read our take on the 2015 Texas Legislative Session and our plans for 2017. Marijuana policy reform can improve public safety, […]

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In a hasty vote, Texas lawmakers show their (lack of) appetite for marijuana research

On a bill that passed the House of Representatives by a margin of 135 to 8 to study “the benefits of providing integrated care to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder,” few Texas Republicans would accept the premise of including marijuana as part of the study’s scope. A stream of Texas veterans has been pounding the […]

Also posted in 2nd Amendment, Bills / Legislation, Medical Marijuana, Republican Support, Texas | 2 comments

Bill Ending Marijuana Prohibition in Texas Passes Criminal Jurisprudence Committee 5-2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Austin, TX – May 6, 2015 – Just yesterday marijuana advocates were celebrating a bill passing out of the Criminal Jurisprudence committee that would create a civil penalty for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. Today, a bill to wipe the whole slate clean on marijuana prohibition advanced out of […]

Also posted in Bills / Legislation, Republican Support, Texas | 1 comments

Texas Bill Eliminating Convictions for Pot Possession Clears House Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Austin, TX – May 5, 2015 – A bill reducing penalties for marijuana possession was given new life after being reconsidered and voted out of Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Monday evening in the Texas House. House Bill 507, filed by Representative Joe Moody (D-El Paso), would create a civil penalty for possession of […]

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Three Republican Representatives Co-Author Key Marijuana Legislation in Texas

April 16, 2015 Austin, TX – Three Republican lawmakers, Representatives David Simpson (R-Longview), Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford), and Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), signed on to co-author House Bill 507, filed by Representative Joe Moody (D-El Paso), alongside another 33 Democratic co-authors and 2 Democratic authors. House Bill 507 would change 0-1 ounce of marijuana possession from a […]

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First comprehensive medical marijuana bills filed in Texas House and Senate

March 13, 2015 Austin, TX – Two Texas lawmakers, Senator José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) and Representative Marisa Márquez (D-El Paso), each authored a bill to establish the legal possession, use, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana for medical purposes. House Bill 3785 and the to-be-numbered Senate Bill would allow patients with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV/AIDS, […]

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East Texas Republican Introduces Bill Abolishing Marijuana Prohibition

Austin, TX – March 2, 2015 – Texas State Representative David Simpson (R-7) introduced a bill Monday that would strike all language pertaining to marijuana from Texas Statutes, thus abolishing marijuana prohibition in the state. Representative Simpson’s HB 2165 harkens back to a time when government did not intervene in the control of marijuana. And […]

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RAMP Goes to Austin

Don Hooper I don’t remember when my mind began to change on the marijuana issue; but, I am confident that the Lee family (Ann Lee and Bob Lee) had something to do with it. I was extremely sad to learn of Bob’s recent passing. When my father passed away last year, Ann trimmed the obituary […]

Also posted in Bills / Legislation, HCRP, Houston, Medical Marijuana, Republican Support, Texas | 0 comments