Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Declares Marijuana Bill ‘dead in the Texas Senate'

AUSTIN — A day after the Texas House made history by backing reduced penalties for pot possession, the effort was declared suddenly and unceremoniously dead. On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his opposition to a bill that would lessen the repercussions for people caught with less than an ounce of marijuana. Patrick, who serves as president of the Texas Senate, said the legislation would not survive in chamber.House Bill 63 "is dead in the @Texas Senate. I join with those House Republicans who oppose this step toward legalization of marijuana," he tweeted.  Continue reading...