Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller printed an editorial on Friday calling for improved entry to medical marijuana within the state, writing that state leaders ought to “lead or simply get out of the best way if we can not formulate efficient hashish coverage for Texas.”
Within the letter, which Miller posted to the Texas Division of Agriculture’s official web site, the commissioner famous that he advocated for the legalization of hemp within the state and is now accountable for regulating tons of of hemp companies. He wrote that he additionally supported the event of merchandise for medical use together with hemp oil, that are enhancing the lives of Texans on a regular basis when different medicines have failed. Miller added that he would enhance entry to medical hashish within the subsequent yr. In 2015, the state legalized the usage of low-THC hashish merchandise as a remedy for epilepsy, including further qualifying medical situations in 2019 and 2021.
“It’s my purpose subsequent yr to develop entry to the compassionate use of hashish merchandise in Texas so that each Texan with a medical want has entry to those medicines,” Miller wrote.
Hashish Enforcement Mire in Bias
In his editorial, Miller famous that the historical past of hashish prohibition and enforcement in america has been riddled with bias and values not per professed American beliefs. He additionally famous that hashish coverage selections have typically been made based mostly on misinformation and emotion somewhat than actuality and that the federal government ought to solely make issues unlawful “for a strong purpose or set of details.”
“As I look again, I consider that hashish prohibition got here from a spot of concern, not from medical science or the evaluation of social hurt. Sadly, the roots of this got here from a historical past of racism, classism, and a big central authorities with an authoritarian need to regulate others. It’s as anti-American in its origins as may very well be conceivable,” Miller wrote. “As we speak, within the twenty first century, this should finish. We should begin with a brand new chapter and a brand new perspective about the usage of hashish – particularly in relation to its potential medicinal advantages.”
Miller, a Republican, famous in his message that 39 states “together with politically conservative states similar to Oklahoma, Utah and Florida” have handed measures to legalize the medicinal use of hashish. Greater than a dozen others “together with conservative western states like Arizona, Montana and Alaska, have legalized industrial hashish gross sales” for all adults aged 21 and older.
“Whereas I’m not certain that Texas is able to go that far, I’ve seen firsthand the worth of hashish as drugs to so many Texans,” Miller wrote.
Blended Messages from Texas Republicans
The Republican management in Texas has not expressed a constant stance on hashish coverage. Whereas campaigning for re-election in January, Governor Greg Abbot mentioned that Texas prisons needs to be reserved “for harmful criminals who might hurt others.”
“Small possession of marijuana will not be the kind of violation that we need to stockpile jails with,” said Abbot.
However Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is likely one of the state’s most vocal hashish opponents.
“The Lt. Governor has made it fairly explicitly clear that he’s not on board for lessening the state’s drug legal guidelines round marijuana,” Joshua Clean, analysis director for the College of Texas Austin’s Texas Politics Undertaking, mentioned earlier this yr. “However I feel like some other public determine, if strain continues to mount, particularly inside his personal get together, there’s no purpose he can’t change his thoughts.”
Noting that 4 out of 5 Texans assist the compassionate use of hashish, Miller referred to as on Abbot and the state’s lawmakers to extend entry to medicinal hashish through the subsequent legislative session.
“It’s time for all of us, together with the Governor, members of the Texas Legislature and others to come back collectively and put aside our political variations to have an sincere dialog about hashish: the place we have now been, the place we’re going and what function authorities ought to correctly play,” Miller concluded. “We owe it to our fellow Texans, particularly those that are struggling, to guide or simply get out of the best way if we can not formulate efficient hashish coverage for Texas.”