"This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced bills go first to committees that deliberate, investigate, and revise them before they go to general debate. The majority of bills never make it out of committee. Keep in mind that sometimes the text of one bill is incorporated into another bill, and in those cases the original bill, as it would appear here, would seem to be abandoned. [Last Updated: Nov 6, 2008]"

This bill, not even in committee yet, really doesn't go far enough in decriminalizing. It'd still be illegal to grow, which is required to possess. It is a start though...

__________________
"It's amazing how much panic one honest man can spread among a multitude of hypocrites." -- Thomas Sowell
"Don't PANIC!" -- Douglas Adams

Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use

Decrimializing pot would be one of the top 5 best thing to ever happen in my lifetime.. AND 3.5 ounces/100grams I WOULD BE SO HAPPY!!! please support this and put a permanent end to all unessasary arrests for cannabis consumers!!

Anyone willing to start a movement?.. The time is now.:thumbsu p:

Just so you know feds look at this page! So stating you grow illegally will put a bigger target on you than making the phone call. You can be tracked down from the boards. So for your own safety never post that your a grower!

My senators office knows me by name now. There is no such thing as "to much" when talking about how much to advocate for the cannabis.

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“The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture. “
Thomas Jefferson

In my opinion, GoddessHerb is one hundred percent correct. Things seldom just "work themselves out". Without initially addressing the issues of production and distribution, almost ALL of the ills that prohibitionists attach to use but which are actually the direct result of prohibitionist policy will still be present. They will have plenty of ammunition with which to convince the sheeple to then AGAIN criminalize the drug.

Lead

It says "(did not happen)" on that site for the Medical one. Does that just mean hasn't happened yet or what?

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"It's not a health issue, it's a wealth issue."

For all those who are tight asses pay attention. We are not here to hurt anyone, we have jobs, pay our taxes and on a daily basis do all the right things. I just have 1 question why is it ok that alcohol is legal but marijuana is not. People die everyday from alcohol weather it be in car accidents, overdoses, or liver disease and this is ok but Marijuana who never harmed anyone is not legal. This is puzzeling to me, what is the worstthing that could happen tight asses we get hungry and eat a little more, or we become more friendly, um can someone tell me how this is harmfull? Ciggeretts are legal but they cause cancer, hmmmmmm. Do you people understand where i am comming from? The government wants to stimulate the economy, well here is an idea legalize medical marijuana, put a tax on it and i bet you this would definitely help the economy. For the non believers, take a real poll with real americans and you will see that alot more people smoke marijuana than you think. Most of these people are well respected people who are doctors, lawyers, and teachers. In my opinion there are much worse things to worry about in life and marijuana never hurt anyone so i just don't see the reason it is not legal. Please someone challenge me on this and i will come up with a rebuttle for everything you have.

You do realise you're on a pro marijuana forum right?
Write to your politicians instead of us, they're the ones that need to be convinced, not us. Write them and tell them how it can help the economy. Do your part mate, GO MAN GO!

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"It's not a health issue, it's a wealth issue."

called and talked to them. talk about nerve racking. ha. well worth a minute or two with the Man.

lets get it done!

i'm glad its finally been done. i visit norml frequently and i've sent emails to the reps for medical marijuana in texas and for the decrim of 2 oz or less. i got a letter in the mail from the representative thanking me for taking interest in HB 902 the one for medical marijuana in texas. i was very surprised to say the least.

i'm glad its finally been done. i visit norml frequently and i've sent emails to the reps for medical marijuana in texas and for the decrim of 2 oz or less. i got a letter in the mail from the representative thanking me for taking interest in HB 902 the one for medical marijuana in texas. i was very surprised to say the least

edit house bill 902 is for the decrim of marijuana in texas. sorry

you might want to read up on that bill again.

here is the first part of it:

81R639 CAE-D

By: Dutton H.B. No. 902



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT
relating to the penalties for possession of two ounces or less of
marihuana and to the issuance of an occupational driver's license.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and
(d) to read as follows:
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is:
(1) a Class C misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana
possessed is one ounce or less, except as provided by Subsection
(c);
(2) a Class B misdemeanor if the amount of marihuana
possessed is two ounces or less but more than one ounce;
(3) [(2)] a Class A misdemeanor if the amount of
marihuana possessed is four ounces or less but more than two ounces;

from what i can gather, it says that 1 oz. or less will be a class C (fine of up to $500 with no chance of jail time) but more than 1 and less than 2 is still a class B.

at least that's what i gather from it.

and there is no bill in the texas house of reps. for medicinal marijuana. there is HB 164, which protects doctors that recommend a patient use cannabis as a medicine.

here is the entire bill.


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT
relating to the medical use of marihuana.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under
Subsection (a) that the person possessed the marihuana as a patient
of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state pursuant
to the recommendation of that physician for the amelioration of the
symptoms or effects of a bona fide medical condition.
(d) An agency, including a law enforcement agency, of this
state or a political subdivision of this state may not initiate an
administrative, civil, or criminal investigation into a physician
licensed to practice medicine in this state on the ground that the
physician discussed marihuana as a treatment option with a patient
of the physician or made a written or oral statement that, in the
physician's opinion, the potential benefits of marihuana would
likely outweigh the health risks for a particular patient.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 164, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 164.0525 to read as follows:
Sec. 164.0525. MEDICAL USE OF MARIHUANA. A physician may
not be denied any right or privilege or be subject to any
disciplinary action solely for making a written or oral statement
that, in the physician's professional opinion, the potential
benefits of marihuana would likely outweigh the health risks for a
particular patient.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of
this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of
this Act if any element of the offense was committed before that
date.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.


i like the attitude and enthusiasm. i hope you put it to good use in the fight to either get medicinal marijuana or to get it decriminalized!


-shake

__________________
"happy trees"

troubleshooting form

"some of my sweets be tight and some of my sweets be fucked up, but all of my sweets gon' blow so killa smoke gets sucked up..." -Bun B

"But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." -Deceleration of Independence

agreed. Thanks for the heads up man. Sent a letter. I will be calling tomorrow.

if i'm not mistaken that bill no longer is on the books. it was proposed in a previous session of congress. any bill not passed into law are taken off of the books.

often it will be reintroduced by committee members but it will be under a new number.

you can keep track of them here.


-shake

__________________
"happy trees"

troubleshooting form

"some of my sweets be tight and some of my sweets be fucked up, but all of my sweets gon' blow so killa smoke gets sucked up..." -Bun B

"But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." -Deceleration of Independence

Well that's depressing and very discouraging to those (including myself) who tried a number of times to get in contact with these congress men and women to get our point across.

Ugh.

__________________
Just Live It.

>>Are we closer than ever to Legalization of Marijuana?"<<

The newest version of this bill is HR 2943.

H.R. 2943: Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009 (GovTrack.us)

thanks dadrone! good looking out!


-shake

__________________
"happy trees"

troubleshooting form

"some of my sweets be tight and some of my sweets be fucked up, but all of my sweets gon' blow so killa smoke gets sucked up..." -Bun B

"But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." -Deceleration of Independence

just doing my part to keep this at the top of message boards
has this bill gone through?
id like to see if it is and i would like to see my own government do something similar as my mam is a "patient" only weed is illegal in any form here i had a joint taken off me a couple of weeks ago lol

__________________

5 STRAIN 1st TIME HYDRO GROW LOG

Just sent a message to my rep and I'm crossing my fingers! Also told a few friends about it and they sent messages to our rep, so I've done my part for sure

***Here is a great way to end this fear we need to pass this around as well and
get the truth into the courts regarding medical marijuana and the legitimacy of using that defense when justifiable...**just sign date mail...

**f**k em**



The Honorable Bobby Scott, Chairman
The Honorable Louie Gohmert, Ranking Member
Members, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary
B-370 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Letter in Support of the Truth in Trials Act, H.R. XXXX

Dear Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gohmert, and Members of the Subcommittee:

We, the undersigned , strongly support the “Truth in Trials” Act of 2009, H.R. XXXX, introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Sam Farr, (D-CA). This important legislation amends the U.S. Code to establish an affirmative defense for those individuals authorized to use or provide medical marijuana in accordance with their state law. The “Truth in Trials” Act is about fundamental fairness in our courts and seeks to balance the scales of justice.

Despite the adoption of medical marijuana laws in thirteen states, which represent the will of nearly 75 million Americans, individuals in these states are still vulnerable to arrest and prosecution under existing federal law. To make matters worse, federal defendants are prevented from introducing evidence of medical use or state law compliance in order to exonerate themselves at trial. Due to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v. Raich, federal prosecutors have the discretion to exclude evidence of medical use and state law compliance, and U.S. Attorneys have exercised that discretion in every case they have taken to trial.

The fallout from this lack of an affirmative defense is quite severe. In the past few years, dozens of people have been convicted in federal court and sentenced to lengthy prison terms of between 5-20 years for activity that was lawful under their state’s medical marijuana law. Furthermore, there are currently at least two dozen pending federal cases in which defendants are unable to mount an adequate defense, underscoring the urgent need for this legislation.

Unfortunately, the recently issued DOJ guidelines do not direct U.S. Attorneys to permit evidence at trial that might exonerate defendants in medical marijuana cases. The “Truth in Trials” Act is a common sense and compassionate approach that would ensure that defendants have the ability to defend themselves and present evidence that may demonstrate compliance with state law. In this way, the “Truth in Trials” Act is a logical and necessary legislative complement to the Obama Administration’s new medical marijuana policy guidelines.

The “Truth in Trials” Act does not seek to legalize the use of marijuana, nor would it affect the enforcement of the federal Controlled Substances Act. In fact, the “Truth in Trials” Act strengthens existing law by providing for criminal penalties if the defendant’s activity is found to be outside of compliance with state law.

We strongly support the “Truth in Trials” Act, which would restore due process and fundamental fairness for individuals facing federal prosecution in matters that concern the limited, medical use of marijuana. We urge you and the other members of Congress to support and pass H.R. XXXX.

Sincerely,

[Person]
[City, State]