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1621-Popular English Mental Health Book Recommends Cannabis to Treat Depression

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1621-Popular English Mental Health Book Recommends Cannabis to Treat Depression

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cannabis makes people feel better.

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people should have something to helping them feel comfortable or taking away the pain 

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1996-California became the very first state in the country to legalize medical marijuana

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1996-California became the very first state in the country to legalize medical marijuana

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Third Way is a center-left think tank that champions modern solutions to the most challenging problems in US public policy, including the economy, climate and energy, national security, social policy, and politics.

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2010-New Jersey Becomes 14th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana

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2010-New Jersey Becomes 14th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana

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legalizing  the use of marijuana to help patients with chronic illnesses

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oct.16,2012-Federal Court Hears Case to Change Schedule I Status of Marijuana

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oct.16,2012-Federal Court Hears Case to Change Schedule I Status of Marijuana

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Cannabis is currently a Schedule I narcotic – a classification reserved for substances with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse

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2012-  countries started to banned Legalize marijuana

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2012-  countries started to banned Legalize marijuana

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countries start to show policy and politics of this issue have changed in recent years.

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Third Way is a center-left think tank that champions modern solutions to the most challenging problems in US public policy, including the economy, climate and energy, national security, social policy, and politics.

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Jan. 22, 2013-US Appeals Court Denies Medical Marijuana Reclassification Challenge

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Jan. 22, 2013-US Appeals Court Denies Medical Marijuana Reclassification Challenge

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government's assertion that 'adequate and well-controlled studies' on the medical efficacy of marijuana do not exist."

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Possession of up to two ounces is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in prison, a fine of up to $2000, or both. texas starts to get real serious about its laws against cannabis

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Cannabis in Texas is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to two ounces is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in prison, a fine of up to $2000, or both. However, several of the state's major municipalities have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties or limit enforcement.

Medical use is allowed only in the form of low- THC cannabis oil, less than 1% THC with a doctor's approval and less than 0.3% THC without. Legislation allowing for medical use was first approved in 2015.

Prior to 1973, Texas had the harshest cannabis laws of any state in the nation, with possession of any amount classified as a felony offense punishable by two years to life in prison. Possession was banned statewide in 1931.

John Gregory Bourke described the use of "mariguan", which he identifies as Cannabis indica or Indian hemp, by Mexican residents of the Rio Grande region of Texas in 1894. He described its uses for treatment of asthma, to expedite delivery, to keep away witches, and as a love-philtre. He also wrote that many Mexicans added the herb to their cigarritos or mescal, often taking a bite of sugar afterward to intensify the effect. Bourke wrote that because it was often used in a mixture with toloachi (which he inaccurately describes as Datura stramonium), mariguan was one of the several plants known as " loco weed". Bourke compared mariguan to hasheesh, which he called "one of the greatest curses of the East", citing reports that users "become maniacs and are apt to commit all sorts of acts of violence and murder", causing degeneration of the body and an idiotic appearance, and mentioned laws against sale of hasheesh "in most Eastern countries".

The Texas city of El Paso was the first American city to individually restrict cannabis, in 1915. The scene for this city ban was set in 1913, when a man killed a police officer in neighboring Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, while chasing an El Paso couple. Chief Deputy Stanley Good of the El Paso Sheriff's Department noted over several media statements:

One under its influence is devoid of fear and as reckless of consequences or results. There are instances where the drug crazed victim has been placed in jail, but in many cases officers have been compelled to slay the fiend in order to save their own lives. ... A large percentage of the crimes committed are by men saturated with the drug... Most Mexicans in this section are addicted to the habit, and it is a growing habit among Americans.

In 1919, legislation was enacted to prohibit the transfer of narcotics, including cannabis, for non-medical use. Transfer of cannabis in this manner was made a misdemeanor crime; however, possession of the drug still remained legal.

In 1923, legislation was enacted to prohibit the possession of narcotics, including cannabis, with intent to sell. As a result of this law, cannabis could no longer be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies (only by prescription).

Possession of cannabis was banned statewide in 1931. Until 1973 it would remain classified as a narcotic with the possibility of life sentences imposed for possession of small amounts.

In June 1973, House Bill 447 was signed into law to significantly reduce penalties for cannabis offenses. Prior to its passage Texas had the harshest cannabis laws of any state in the nation, with possession of any amount classified as a felony offense punishable by two years to life in prison. With the passage of the bill, possession of up to two ounces was reduced to a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a $1000 fine and prison sentence of no more than 180 days. The bill passed the Senate by a 24-7 vote and the House 84-58.

House Bill 447 also contained a provision allowing persons serving time for cannabis offenses to be resentenced under the new law. The resentencing provision was later ruled to be unconstitutional; however, by May 1974 Governor Dolph Briscoe had granted clemency to 95 of these prisoners.

In June 2007, House Bill 2391 was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry. Under the law, police can "cite and release" for certain misdemeanor crimes instead of subjecting offenders to immediate arrest (though the same penalties still apply). Among the offenses for which a citation can be issued is possession of up to 4 ounces of cannabis. Many police departments announced they would continue to arrest for minor cannabis offenses, however.

In 2015 State Representative David Simpson introduced House Bill 2165 to legalize the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. A Tea Party-backed conservative, Simpson made a religious case for cannabis, stating: "I don't believe that when God made marijuana, he made a mistake that government needs to fix." In May 2015, Simpson's bill gained a majority of support in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, but was not accepted to make it further on the House floor in the limited time remaining in the legislative session.

In June 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 339 - the Texas Compassionate Use Act - to allow the use of low-THC cannabis oil (less than 0.5% THC) for the treatment of epilepsy. Abbott caveated his support: "I remain convinced that Texas should not legalize marijuana, nor should Texas open the door for conventional marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes." The bill passed by a 26-5 vote in the Senate and 96-34 in the House.

In April 2019, the House of Representatives voted 98-43 to approve House Bill 63. It sought to make possession of up to one ounce of cannabis a Class C (rather than a Class B) misdemeanor, eliminate the threat of jail time, and reduce the fine to $500. The day after its passage in the House, however, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced that he would not allow a vote on it in the Senate.

In June 2019, House Bill 1325 was signed into law by Governor Abbott to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp (cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC). It also legalized possession and sale of hemp-derived CBD products without need for a doctor's approval. HB 1325 passed the Senate 31-0 and the House 140-3.

The enactment of HB 1325 also caused an outcome that legislators did not intend. Because it changed the legal definition of marijuana from cannabis in general to cannabis containing greater than 0.3% THC, many marijuana possession charges across the state were soon dropped due to a shortage of THC testing equipment available. Prosecutors in the counties of Harris, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, Williamson, and several others soon announced the dismissal of hundreds of marijuana cases and a moratorium on pursuing new charges.

In June 2019, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 3703 which increased the number of qualifying conditions eligible for treatment under the state's low-THC medical cannabis program. Previously limited to epilepsy only, the bill added terminal cancer, autism, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), seizure disorders, and incurable neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's Disease.

In 2020, Texas regulators issued a ban on the manufacture, processing, distribution, and sale of hemp for smoking purposes only. In response, local companies protested the ban and filed a lawsuit seeking to have it overturned. In September 2020, Travis County District Judge Lora Livingston granted a temporary injunction lifting the ban until the case went to trial in 2021. The ban was ruled unconstitutional by Judge Livingston in August 2021; however, in June 2022 the Texas Supreme Court upheld the ban on the manufacturing and processing (but not sale) of smokable hemp.

In May 2021, SCR 1 was signed by Governor Abbott to declare that Texas had formally opted out of the requirements of the Solomon-Lautenberg amendment. In June 2021, SB 181 was signed to eliminate a requirement in state law that any drug conviction be penalized with a six-month driver's license suspension, instead allowing judges to waive suspensions for misdemeanor offenders who do not have a drug conviction in the prior 36 months. SB 181 took effect on September 1, 2021.

In June 2021, HB 1535 was signed into law to raise the THC limit from 0.5% to 1% and expand coverage to include all forms of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), effective September 1. A version of the bill that passed the House allowed for a 5% THC limit, but it was lowered to 1% in the Senate.

In January 2009, the city council of El Paso voted 8-0 in favor of a resolution sponsored by councilman Beto O'Rourke calling for a national debate regarding the legalization of drugs as a way to reduce drug cartel violence. The resolution was then vetoed by the mayor, however, and an attempt to override the veto one week later failed by a 4-4 vote. Members of the council had been swayed by pressure from Rep. Silvestre Reyes and several state lawmakers who warned that future allocation of federal funds to the city could be affected.

In February 2009, the Austin Police Department instituted a policy of cite-and-release for possession of small amounts of cannabis. The Travis County Sheriff's Office, which encompasses a large part of the Austin metro area, had already been operating under such a policy since the end of 2007.

In October 2014, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson announced the launch of the First Chance Intervention Program. Under the program, persons possessing less than two ounces of cannabis would still be subject to arrest, but could avoid a criminal conviction by attending drug education classes or performing community service. In January 2016 the program was expanded so that a citation was given instead of arrest, and all law enforcement agencies within the county were required to comply.

In February 2017, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the launch of the Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program that further expanded upon the reforms of the First Chance Intervention Program. Under the new program, persons possessing less than four ounces of cannabis would not face criminal charges or even be issued a citation as long as they agreed to attend a four-hour drug education class. The new program also differed in that persons who had committed previous cannabis offenses would still be eligible to participate. The program went into effect in March 2017.

In April 2017 the Dallas City Council voted 10-5 to adopt a cite-and-release policy for possession of less than 4 ounces of cannabis. In October 2017 county commissioners 4-1 voted to approve the plan, and it went into effect in December 2017.

In September 2017, Bexar Country District Attorney Nico LaHood announced a new cite-and-release policy for persons caught with less than 4 ounces of cannabis. The program also allowed cited individuals to avoid criminal charges by attending a class, paying a fine, and performing community service. The policy went into effect for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office in January 2018.

In October 2017, El Paso County commissioners voted unanimously to allow people caught with less than 4 ounces of cannabis to pay a $100 fine and perform 8 hours of community service in lieu of facing criminal charges. Named the First Chance Program, it only applies to people that are not caught with any other drugs.

In April 2019, Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot announced that individuals caught possessing misdemeanor amounts of cannabis would no longer be prosecuted for first-time offenses. Individuals who commit subsequent offenses would be offered diversionary courses to avoid a criminal conviction.

In May 2019, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales announced that an expanded version of cite-and-release would be implemented during the summer and apply to San Antonio Police Department as well. Additionally, Gonzales announced that his office would no longer prosecute possession of less than one ounce of cannabis.

In January 2020, Austin City Council voted 9-0 in favor of a resolution that effectively eliminates penalties for possessing up to 4 ounces of cannabis and directs the city manager to "take the steps necessary and appropriate to eliminate, to the furthest extent allowable under state law ... the use of arrest or other enforcement action for cannabis-related possession offenses". In July 2020 Austin Police Department announced that it had revised its enforcement policies to comply with the resolution. The resolution along with banning the use of no-knock warrants was formalized via local ballot measure Proposition A in May 2022.

In April 2021, the Plano Police Department announced that they would no longer arrest people caught with less than 2 ounces of cannabis. Instead, they may issue tickets for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

A plank calling for "a change in the law to make it a civil, and not a criminal, offense for legal adults only to possess one ounce or less of marijuana for personal use, punishable by a fine of up to $100, but without jail time" (passed with 81% of the vote).

A plank calling for the Texas Legislature to "improve the 2015 Compassionate Use Act to allow doctors to determine the appropriate use of cannabis to certified patients" (passed with 90% of the vote).

A plank calling for Congress to "remove cannabis from the list of Schedule 1 and move to Schedule 2" (passed with 82% of the vote).

A plank calling for the Texas Legislature to "pass legislation allowing cultivation, manufacture, and sale of industrial hemp and hemp products" (passed with 83% of the vote).

In June 2022, the Texas Republican Party approved platform planks again supporting the rescheduling of cannabis but also opposing the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes. Planks were approved that read as follows:

Marijuana Remains Illegal: Oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana and offer opportunities for drug treatment before penalties for its illegal possession, use, or distribution

Cannabis Classification: Congress should remove cannabis from the list of Schedule 1 and move to Schedule 2.

Reduce Business Regulations: We believe that the following businesses should be minimally regulated at all levels... Use of hemp as an agricultural commodity.

Addiction: We oppose legalization and decriminalization of illicit natural and/or illegal synthetic drugs, and we support the exercise of a zero-tolerance policy with maximum penalty for illegal drug manufacturers and distributors. We also oppose any needle exchange programs. Faith-based rehabilitation programs should be considered as a part of an overall rehabilitation program.

A plank calling for legislation in Texas to "legalize possession and use of cannabis and its derivatives and to regulate its use, production and sale as is successfully done in Colorado, Washington and other States".

Planks calling for the "immediate legalization of medical cannabis" and "federal legislation to remove cannabis as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance".

A plank calling for the "immediate release of individuals incarcerated for possession of cannabis and expungement of criminal records of persons convicted or receiving Deferred Adjudication for misdemeanor cannabis offenses".

A plank calling for the "legalization of hemp for agricultural purposes".

Marijuana Lobby Day was first held in Austin in 2011, when 25 people showed up to press the issue to the legislature (which meets once every two years). In 2013, 50 people attended, in 2015 there were 300, and in 2017 there were 375.

Mark Stepnoski, former All-Pro offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers, served as president of the Texas chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws ( Texas NORML) during the early 2000s.

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Cannabis in Texas is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to two ounces is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in prison, a fine of up to $2000, or both. However, several of the state's major municipalities have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties or limit enforcement.

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Marijuana’s prohibition and gradual legalization in the United States has had a significant economic impact on those left in its wake. On one hand, the punitive approach to marijuana use taken by local and state law enforcement agencies has had pernicious economic consequences for low-income and minority individuals and communities.

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2020-History of Marijuana Regulation in America

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2020-History of Marijuana Regulation in America

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Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, effectively criminalizing marijuana. Meanwhile the New York Academy of Medicine issued an extensive report declaring marijuana did not induce violence, or insanity, or lead to addiction or other drug use.

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The United States's relationship with marijuana dates back to the Colonial Era. American production of hemp (the cannabis plant) was encouraged by the government in the 17th Century for the production of rope, sails, and clothing. Domestic production of hemp flourished until after the Civil War, when imports replaced hemp. In the late 19th Century, marijuana became a popular ingredient in many medicinal products and was sold openly in pharmacies.

After the Mexican Revolution of 1910, Mexican immigrants flooded into the United States, bringing with them the recreational use of marijuana. The drug became associated with the immigrants and the fear and , in turn, prejudice about the newcomers became associated with marijuana. Anti-drug campaigners warned against the encroaching "Marijuana Menace". During the Great Depression, massive unemployment and increased public resentment and fear of Mexican immigrants escalated public and governmental concern about the potential problem of marijuana. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed marijuana.

In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, effectively criminalizing marijuana. Meanwhile the New York Academy of Medicine issued an extensive report declaring marijuana did not induce violence, or insanity, or lead to addiction or other drug use. During World War II, the U.S. Department of Agriculture turned to hemp to produce marine cordage, parachutes and other military gear. It launched a "Hemp for Victory" program and registered 375,000 acres of hemp in the United States.

In the 1950s, federal laws which set mandatory sentences for drug-related offenses were enacted. Yet in the 1960s a cultural climate shift lead to more lenient attitudes towards marijuana. Again, reports commissioned by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson found that marijuana use did not induce violence or lead to use of heavier drugs.

By 1970, Congress repealed most of the mandatory penalties for drug-related offenses. In 1972, the bipartisan Shafer Commission, appointed by President Nixon at the direction of Congress, considered laws regarding marijuana and determined that personal use of marijuana should be decriminalized. Nixon rejected the recommendation, but over the course of the 1970s, eleven states decriminalized marijuana and most others reduced their penalties.

However, in 1976 a parent's movement against marijuana began and was instrumental in affecting pubic attitudes which lead to the 1980s War on Drugs. Mandatory sentences were re-enacted by President Reagan. The "three strikes you're out" policy, required life sentences for repeat drug offenders. The War on Drugs continued under President George Bush in 1989.

Yet a major shift in public perception of marijuana was underway. In 1996 California passed Proposition 215 allowing for the sale and medical use of marijuana for patients with AIDS, cancer, and other serious painful diseases. Thus the tension between federal laws criminalizing marijuana and state laws permitting marijuana in certain circumstances began which continues today.

Source: PBS Frontline: Marijuana Timeline.

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LibGuides: Survey of Marijuana Law in the United States: History of Marijuana Regulation in the United States

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The United States's relationship with marijuana dates back to the Colonial Era. American production of hemp (the cannabis plant) was encouraged by the government in the 17th Century for the production of rope, sails, and clothing. Domestic production of hemp flourished until after the Civil War, when imports replaced hemp.

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2022-Five Texas cities vote to decriminalize having small amounts of marijuana

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2022-Five Texas cities vote to decriminalize having small amounts of marijuana

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By the end of Election Day, five Texas cities have voted to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession

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Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
By the end of Election Day, five Texas cities have voted to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession.

After Austin voters overwhelmingly approved the proposition to decriminalize carrying small amounts of marijuana in May, Ground Game Texas - the progressive group behind that effort - successfully worked with local organizations and pushed for similar measures to appear on the ballots of Denton, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Harker Heights for the midterms cycle.

Voters in these cities have now shown strong support for the proposals at the polls.

The campaign saw the highest level of support in San Marcos - home to Texas State University - with nearly 82% of the votes. Denton, which has several university campuses, saw more than 70% of the votes backing the proposition.

In Killeen, known for its proximity to military base Fort Hood, close to 70% of voters approved the proposition. Elgin, just outside of Austin, saw almost 75% of votes in support of the reform. And on the low end, more than 60% of voters in Harker Heights in Bell County casted ballots in favor of decriminalizing marijuana.

"These meaningful reforms will keep people out of jail and save scarce public resources for more important public safety needs," said Mike Siegel, political director of Ground Game Texas and a former Democrat congressional candidate. "We're extremely happy with our results."

Like Austin's ordinance, the successful propositions establish city ordinances that end low-level enforcement, including citations and arrests for possessing less than four ounces of marijuana and related drug paraphernalia, in most cases. They also largely ban using city funds and staff to test substances for THC, the cannabis plant's chemical that gets users high.

The proposals are possible because these are home-rule cities - jurisdictions that are able to create ordinances if they are not explicitly forbidden by Texas or federal law.

The state currently treats the substances differently depending on their level of THC. For example, it legalized hemp, which has less THC than marijuana, in 2019. Then in 2021, the Texas House approved a bill to reduce penalties for minor marijuana possession, but it died in the Senate.

Last month, President Joe Biden also issued pardons for all federal marijuana possession cases and called on states to do the same. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who was reelected Tuesday, did not directly say if the state would follow suit, but he has previously shown support for lessening penalties for low-level marijuana possession.

Ultimately, Ground Game Texas hoped to use the campaign to boost turnout, especially among young voters.

"We wanted to use workers, wages and weed to engage new voters," Siegel said.

Looking ahead, Ground Game Texas will continue working with on-the-ground groups to place progressive measures on local ballots. They aim to put the measure along with several other propositions, including abortion decriminalization, in front of San Antonio voters in May 2023. And similar efforts are likely to pop up in other big cities like Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston in the 2024 elections, Siegel added.

"We're hoping that we can prove not only that these issues are popular, but they also boosted turnout in the communities that are on the ballot," he said. "And in the days following this election, we're going to be having lots of conversations with folks about the next cycle."
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit statewide news organization dedicated to keeping Texans informed on politics and policy issues that impact their communities. This election season, Texans around the state will turn to The Texas Tribune for the information they need on voting, election results, analysis of key races and more. Get the latest.

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Five Texas cities vote to decriminalize having small amounts of marijuana

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Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. By the end of Election Day, five Texas cities have voted to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession.