Legalizing marijuana in a conservative state like Texas might seem unlikely, but one bill is moving through the state legislature with a little help from an unlikely ally.
House Bill 507 would get rid of criminal penalties for the possession of marijuana. Read the full text of the bill below.
A new advertisement from Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy will run in several cities to try and get support for the proposal.
The ad includes comments from a retired narcotics detective from the Hill Country who says officers have more important things to do with their time than arrest people for marijuana possession; they need to protect the public.
The bill has already passed a House committee but hasn't been voted on by the full house yet. If passed, it still would have a long way to go. The bill must also pass the senate and then get the governor's signature.
Gov. Greg Abbott has been on record opposing the legalization of marijuana.
There are other opponents as well. The public information officer for the North Richland Hills Police Department told NBC 5 his department is against decriminalization and legalization of marijuana.
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"Our government has spent millions for decades trying to educate children in elementary and middle school the dangers of drugs," said NRH Police Officer Keith Bauman.
HB00507I (Text)
