Texas Legislators’ Education Package · legislative session, including marijuana law reform....

TexasLegislators’EducationPackage‐MarijuanaLawReforminRelationtotheSuccessandSafetyofTexas 1

TexasLegislators’EducationPackageMarijuanaLawReforminRelationtotheSuccessandSafetyofTexas

HonorableTexasSenatorsandRepresentatives,

Yourconstituents’priorityisthatyouareawareoftheiropinionsandaccurate,scientificfactsregardingimportantissuesthislegislativesession,includingmarijuanalawreform.EmploymentandeconomicopportunitiesinTexasarebeingignoreddueto misconceptions about hemp and marijuana. With the studies and factual data provided herein, you can quickly andresponsiblyevaluateanycurrentand futurebills related to these important issuesandmakeeducateddecisions regardingrevenueincreasesandsavings,aswellasemploymentandagriculturalopportunitiesobtainablethroughimmediate,commonsensereformofmarijuanaandhempprohibitionlaws.

TexasNORML(aneducationalnon‐profit)isprovidingthispackageandtheenclosedbooklet,EmergingClinicalApplicationsforCannabisandCannabinoids:AReviewoftheRecentScientificLiterature toALL150TexasHouseRepresentativesand31SenateMembers,aswellasthousandsofTexasvoters.

Definition –Marijuana/marihuana, scientifically known as cannabis, is a flowering plant including differentvarietiesrangingfrompsychoactivemedical/recreationaltonon‐psychoactiveindustrialhemp.

We understand that you have a short time in session, withmany proposed bills to review.We are committed to helpingexpedite committee hearings by educating attendees in how to sign indicating their support and attempting to coordinaterepresentativeswhocanspeakforlike‐mindedopinions,soyoumaybeinformedandcontinuewithyouragendainatimelymanner.Texanssupportcommonsenseandimmediatereformofmarijuanalawstoensureasafeandeconomicallysuccessfulstate.Nowisthetimetostoppenalizingresponsibleadultuse.Lawmakeractionandreformshavebeenputoffforfartoolong.

Oneofyourconstituents(oroneofourrepresentatives)willbefollowingupforyourfeedbackandaskingforyoursupport.Ifyou have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact us at (512)931‐4367(HEMP) [email protected].

EndMarijuanaProhibitionforaMoreEffectiveApproach Enforcementofmarijuanaprohibitioncostsanenormousamountofmoney.In2010,Texaspoliceofficersarrestedmore

than78,000peopleformarijuana,97%ofthosearrestswereforpossessionalone.1Eachmarijuanaarrestcoststaxpayersanestimated$10,000.2

Marijuanaprohibition isharming the futuresof our youth.Every10minutes a youngTexan is arrested formarijuana,costing over $655million per year.3 In Texas,minors and adults under 21make upmore than 40% of allmarijuanaarrests.4Theseyouthsarethensaddledwithcriminalrecords,lossofscholarshipsandjobopportunities,andmanyfacejailtime.Texansdemandeducationandtreatmentinplaceofcostlyanddamagingincarceration.

At thesame time,minors report it iseasier for themtobuymarijuana thanregulatedalcohol, tobacco,orprescriptiondrugs.5

Marijuanaislesstoxicthanalcohol6andlessdamagingtothelungsthantobacco,evenwhensmoked.7‐8Marijuanaisalsolessaddictivethanalcoholandtobacco.9Noonehaseverdiedfromamarijuanaoverdose.10

Seventy‐six percent of adult Texans support medicinal marijuana,11 and 56% of Americans support legalizing andregulatingmarijuanalikealcoholandtobacco.12

Texas faces an estimated budget shortfall of at least $9 billion for 2013,13 and lawmakers have already cut funding toeducationbymore than$5billion.14Wecannotaffordtheunnecessaryexpenseofcriminalizingnon‐violent,otherwiselaw‐abidingcitizensanylonger.

*ActualTexasvoterswhosupporttheeconomicsuccessandsafetyofTexas,obtainablethroughcommonsensereformofmarijuanalaws.


BenefitsofDecriminalizationandLegalization While marijuana law reform can takemany forms, we urge you to consider decriminalization measures for the near

future,inadditiontomoresweepinglegalizationandregulationmeasures.Thebenefitsofthesereformsareextensiveandwide‐ranging,andarediscussedinmoredetailthroughoutthissection.

In 2010, 54.3% of all drug arrests in Texas were for marijuana possession alone.15 Each of these costs an estimated $10,000 to arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate.16 Reducing possession of small amounts of marijuana to a Class C misdemeanor would reduce these costs, as offenders would be ticketed and subject to fine rather than jail time. States that have decriminalized marijuana possession include Alaska, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Rhode Island, as well as many localities.17‐22 Recently, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize and regulate marijuana, not only producing savings from decriminalization, but also generating tax revenue. In Colorado, the first $40 million of each year’s marijuana tax revenue will go to fund schools.23-24

Marijuanalawreformwillfreeupresourcestopursueviolentcriminalsandalsokeepnon‐violentmarijuanapossessionoffenders,includingstudents,parents,professionals,veterans,andpatientsoutofjail,insteadallowingthemtocontributeasproductivemembersoftheircommunities.Texansbenefitevenfurtherwhenthesesavingsareinvestedineducation,infrastructure,andbordersecurity.

Regulationbringsadditionalbenefits,suchasrevenuefromtaxesonconsumerdollars,earnedby legitimatebusinessesrequiring identification, rather than cartels. And in a legal market we would, of course, continue to penalize publicintoxicationanddrivingwhileintoxicated.

FACTS!ReducingExpensesandGeneratingTaxRevenue

Acomprehensivestudyonthefinancialcostsofmarijuanaprohibitionestimatesthatendingmarijuanaprohibitionwouldsave$7.7billioneachyear,with$5.3billioninsavingsatthestateandlocallevels,and$2.4billionfederally.Thisreportalsoprojectsthatlegalizingandtaxingmarijuanawouldproduce$2.4billionatstandardtaxrates,or$6.2billioniftaxedlikealcoholandtobacco.25

The savings in marijuana law reform also extends to law enforcement resources. Even as the number of homicidescommitted each year has fallen, the percentage of unsolved homicides has risen,26 just one indication of our strainedpoliceresources.Ratherthanmisappropriatingourlimitedresourcesoncostlyandineffectivemarijuanaprohibition,weshouldfocusonpreventingandsolvingviolentandpropertyrelatedcrimes.

IncreasingBorderSafety

Aswith alcohol prohibition, marijuana prohibition forces consumers underground, profits violent criminals, and doesnothingtocurbdemand.Todate,morethan60,000havediedfromdrugwar‐relatedviolenceinMexico,alongwithmorethan 10,000who have vanished,many ofwhomwere innocent bystanders.27Much of the violence happens along theTexas‐Mexicoborder,includingCiudadJuarez.28Legalizingandregulatingmarijuanawouldremovethoseprofitsfromthecartels, justasrepealingalcoholprohibitionin1933seriouslyreducedtheprofitsandactivitiesoforganizedcrime.Forthesereasons,endingmarijuanaprohibitionwouldresultingreatlyimprovedsafetyalongtheTexas‐Mexicoborder.

BenefitsofEducationandHarmReduction

An approach based on education and harm reduction would inform citizens of facts about marijuana, its medicinalapplications,itsresponsibleusebyadults,anditsdangers,includingunderageuseanddrivingwhileintoxicated.In2001,Portugaldecriminalizedpossessionofallillegaldrugstofocusoneducationandtreatment,andhasseenmajordecreasesininfectionanddeathfromdruguse,aswellasreductioninprisoncrowdingandstrainonpoliceresources.29‐30In2012,Uruguayproposedmarijuanalegislationthatwouldallowcitizenstogrowandpossesslimitedamountsofmarijuanaforpersonal use and create a licensed commercial market for cultivation and distribution to adults. Tax revenue on thecommercial marijuana sales will be used to fund education and treatment.31‐32 Overall, an approach based on harmreductionallowsformoreefficientuseofresourcesandasaferenvironment.

RegulationtoImprovePublicSafety

Marijuana law reformwould improve public safety in the sameways that ending alcohol prohibition did: it removedprofitsfromcriminalgangs,madeitillegalforminorstopurchase,providedregulationsforasaferproduct,andpenalizedpublicintoxicationanddrivingundertheinfluence,leavinglegal,regulateduseforresponsibleadultsonly.

Inparticular,underprohibition,minorshaveeasieraccesstomarijuanathanregulateddrugsoralcohol,33duetothefactthatdrugdealerswill obligingly sell to children, or evenbring them into their business.On the other hand, legitimatebusinesseswouldhave incentives to follow the lawand turnawayminors, as theydowhensellingalcoholor tobacco.Under legalization and regulation, cannabis would be as difficult for minors to obtain as these regulated substances,


similar to how repealing alcohol prohibition replaced speakeasies and unsafe bootleg alcohol with regulated productsubjecttominimumagerequirements.

ACTIONNEEDED!Asourrepresentatives, it isyourobligationtoreviewall futuredecriminalizationbillsauthoredandsubmitted in the2015legislativesession.AnewpollfromTexasPublicPolicyshowsthat79%ofTexanssupportdruglawreform.AlsoapollfromPublicPolicyshowsthat61%ofTexanssupportdecriminalizationand58%changingTexaslawtoregulateandtaxmarijuanasimilarly to alcohol, where storeswould be licensed to sellmarijuana to adults 21 and older. During the 2013 legislativesession,H.B.184,authoredbyRepresentativeHaroldDutton,whichfollowedpreviousversionsofthesamebill,wouldhavereduced the penalty for possession of up to one ounce ofmarijuana from a Class B to a Class CMisdemeanor. It offeredsignificant benefits, including saving taxpayers the costs from tens of thousands of arrests and incarceration for minormarijuanapossession. Inthe2011session, thisbillwasassignedtotheCriminal JurisprudenceCommittee,where itearnedgreatsupportfromTexans.NORML’s“TakeActionCenter”sawarecordnumberofemailssenttoTexaslegislators,inadditionto independent emails, phone calls, andprinted letters.34Again in2013,HB184hadahearing andpassedoutofCriminalJurisprudence Committee with a bipartisan vote of 6‐3. We ask that our Texas Representatives co‐sponsor any similarlegislationintroducedinfuturesessions,andthatourTexasSenatorsintroduceacompanionbillintheSenate.

Figures1‐2:RecordHigh50%ofAmericansFavorLegalizingMarijuanaUse.35

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Possession Arrest Rate in 2011

Sale/Manufacture Arrest Rate in 2011

Figure3: MarijuanaArrestsper100,000People.36‐38


BenefitsofMedicinalMarijuanaCannabiscontainsdozensofcompoundsknownascannabinoids,whicharecertainchemicalsfoundnaturallybothinthebody(endocannabinoids) and in cannabis (phytocannabinoids). Of the 70 cannabinoids currently identified inmarijuana,manyhavesignificanttherapeuticeffects,andonlydelta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol(THC)ispsychoactive.39‐40Inaddition,marijuanaislessaddictivethanalcoholandtobacco,41naturallylesstoxicthanalcohol,42andlessdamagingtothelungsthantobacco.43‐44Itis also virtually impossible to overdose from marijuana.45 For these reasons, marijuana offers great potential as a safemedicineand,asfurtherdescribedbelow,aneffectivetreatmentalternativetoprescriptiondrugs.

FACTS!Effectiveness

Inrecentyears,therehasbeenanincreaseinmedicinalmarijuanaresearchandstudiesofthehumanendocannabinoidsystem.46 This research has demonstrated that cannabis is effective in treating chronic pain and inflammatory illness,including:HIV,cancer,neuropathicpain,multiplesclerosis,autoimmunedisease,depression,insomnia,asthma,glaucoma,arthritis,pruritus(itching),gastrointestinaldisorders,andmanyothers—bothinreducingsymptomsand,inmanycases,slowingprogressionofthedisease.47‐57

Safety

In addition to its effectiveness in treating many diseases and conditions, cannabis is also a safer choice than manyprescription drugs (particularly painkillers),58 and has no history of fatalities.59 Overdoses of prescription painkillershowever, caused more than 15,000 deaths in 2009 alone!60 Two‐thirds of medicinal marijuana patients in Californiareport substituting cannabis for prescription drugs, due to greater effectiveness and fewer negative side effects.61Numerousmedicalorganizationssupportmedicinalmarijuana,includingtheAmericanMedicalAssociation(AMA),whichhas called for the federal government’s rescheduling ofmarijuana to allowmore clinical research.62 This is a positionconsistentwiththeAMA’s1937oppositiontothefirstfederalmarijuanaprohibitionlaw63andtheir1975endorsementofTheNationalCommissiononMarihuanaandDrugAbuse’sconclusionthatmarijuanaprohibitioncausesmoreharmthanmarijuanaitself.64‐65

Unlike tobacco, smoking marijuana in moderate amounts does not damage lung function66 and does not cause lungcancer.67Instead,cannabisactuallyfightscancer,68andfurther,maybetakeninavarietyofformsthateliminateanymildrespiratoryeffectsfromsmoking,69suchasinfood,withtopicalcreamsandoils,andbyvaporizing.

Further, experts have determined that marijuana is not a “stepping stone” to more dangerous drugs, except whenpurchased fromdrugdealerswhomayofferothersubstances.70‐72 Inaddition, the “gatewaytheory” is flawed in that itarguesamorecommonactivitycausesalesscommonone,mistakingprobabilityforcausality.Forexample,mostpeoplerideabicyclebeforeamotorcycle,butbicycleridingdoesnotcausemotorcycleriding.Similarly,mostusersofdangerousillicitsubstanceslikecocaine,heroin,andmethamphetamine,triedmarijuanafirst,butmostmarijuanausersdonotmoveontotheselesscommon,higherriskdrugs.Thesepeoplealsolikelytriedalcohol,caffeine,tobacco,andmilkbeforeANYillegal drugs, but it does not follow that drinkingmilk, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, or smoking cigarettes causes apersontotryillegaldrugs.Inreality,morecommonactivitiesaresimplymorecommon,evenwhensimilarinsomewaytoalesscommonactivitythatismoredangerous.73

Lastly, research indicates thatmedicinalmarijuanaprogramsdonot increase adolescentmarijuanause,74 instead theyprovideasafemedicalenvironmentforpatients.

ACTIONNEEDED!MedicinalMarijuanainTexas

Medicinalmarijuanawouldallowforasafer,moreeffectivechoiceformanyillpeople.Moreover,anoverwhelming76%ofadultTexanssupportlegalizingmarijuanaasamedicine.75Duringthelastlegislativesession,H.B.594,authoredbyRep.ElliottNaishtat,whichfollowedpreviousversionsofthesamebill,wouldhavealloweddoctorstorecommendmedicinalmarijuanatotheirpatients.Patientsarrestedforpossessionofmarijuanawouldhavebeenpermittedtousetheirdoctor’srecommendation as an “affirmative defense” in court. Additionally, it would have provided protection for doctors,enablingthemtorecommendavaluablealternativetotheirpatientswithoutfearofprosecutionandlossoftheirlicense,and also to testify on their patients’ behalf.We ask that our Texas Representatives co‐sponsor any similar legislationintroducedintheupcomingsession,andthatourTexasSenatorsintroduceacompanionbillintheSenate,sothatTexanssufferingfromchronicillnessesmaybenefitfromthiseffectiveandsafealternative,iftheysochoose.Texansdeservethefreedom to pursue any treatment recommended by their doctors, without fear of being arrested, prosecuted, andincarceratedforalleviatingtheirsufferingwithanatural,non‐toxicsubstance.


Currently, California, Alaska, Oregon,Washington, Maine, Colorado, Nevada, Hawaii, Montana, Vermont, Rhode Island,NewMexico,Michigan,NewJersey,Arizona,Delaware,Connecticut,theDistrictofColumbia,andMassachusettsallhavemedicinalmarijuanaprograms.76‐77

For more information on the medicinal uses of marijuana, please review the enclosed publication, Emerging ClinicalApplicationsforCannabisandCannabinoids:AReviewoftheRecentScientificLiterature(enclosed),aswellasthereviewsandstudieslistedinthereferencesonpages10‐12.

Figure4: EmergingClinicalApplicationsforCannabisandCannabinoids:AReviewoftheRecentScientificLiterature.78


BenefitsofIndustrialHemp“Industrialhemp,”referstocannabisgrownfortheuseofitsfiber,oil,andseeds.79Hempandmedical/recreationalmarijuanahave obviousvisual differences, primarily in height and shape (hemp tends to be tall,with few leaves,whereasmarijuanatends tobeshorter,withmore leavesand flowers).Thesedistinctions result indifferentproductionandusesof these twodistinctvarietiesoftheplant.80‐81Further,hempdiffers ingeneticandchemicalmakeup,particularly inthat itcontains lessthan0.3%ofthepsychoactivecompoundTHC(comparedto10%‐30%formarijuana).Asaresult,hemphasnopsychoactiveeffector“high.”

FACTS! Hempisextremelyefficientandcosteffective,maturingquickly,requiringfewresources,andproducingahighyieldthat

canbeusedforavarietyofpurposes.82‐83Hempcanproducemorethan25,000differentresources, including, fromthefibers:textiles,paper,plasticpartsforautomobilesandcountlessotherpurposes,carpeting,furniture,buildingmaterials,and fuel! Further, the oil and seeds,which are high in protein and other nutrients, are useful for dietarypurposes; inadditiontoanti‐inflammatoryandotherbeneficialpropertiesof thenon‐psychoactivecannabinoids found inhemp.84‐85Also,hempdoesnot requireherbicidesorpesticides togrow, cangrow inareasnot currentlyused for farming, cleanspollutedsoilandleavesitingreatconditioninacroprotationcycle,requiresrelativelylittleinthewayoffertilization,anduses lesswaterthanothercrops.86‐88Hemp’s lowwaterusage isparticularlyrelevant forTexas,withour limitedwatersupplyandgrowingpopulation.89Forthesereasons,thevalueofhempisprimarilyasahighprofitalternativeorrotationcrop,particularlyinregionswherefarmersdependuponasinglecrop,suchastobaccoorwheat.90

Morethan30countriesallowhempproduction, includingtheEuropeanUnion.TheUnitedStates istheonlydevelopedcountry in the world not allowing its farmers to grow hemp!91 Furthermore, Canada’s hemp exports have recentlyincreased,with59%importedbytheUnitedStates.92ThisclearlydemonstratesagrowingAmericandemandinwhichwecontinuetoloseoutonagricultural,manufacturing,andconsumeropportunities.Obviously,TexanspayhighercostsfortheseimportedproductsthanifwecouldsimplygrowourownhempforU.S.products,aswehaveinthepast.Fromtheearly 17th century until the mid‐20th, industrial hemp was grown in the United States, and was widespread. TheDeclarationof IndependenceandtheU.S.Constitutionwerebothwrittenonhemppaper,andthecolonyof Jamestownwentso faras torequirecitizens togrowhemp.93Hempwasgrownandusedat leastas farbackasancientChina.94‐95Recently,withsomanycountriesproducingthisvaluablecommodity,andreapingthebenefits,prohibitionofhempintheU.S.hasbeguntoreverse.Fourstates(NorthDakota,Vermont,Oregon,andMaine)havelegalizedhemp,whilesixotherstatessupportproductionofhemp,buthavenotasyetlegalized.96Rep.RonPaul’sH.R.1831,IndustrialHempFarmingActof2011,had33co‐sponsors.97

ACTIONNEEDED!LegalizationofhempwouldallowTexasfarmerstheopportunitytogrowanefficientandenvironmentally‐friendlycropwithmore than25,000uses.We ask that ourTexasRepresentatives and Senators introducebills allowing for hemp farmingorco‐sponsoranysimilarlegislationintroducedinthefuture.

Figure5: TheUsesofIndustrialHemp.98


SummaryClearly,enforcementofmarijuanaprohibitiondepletesenormousamountsofmuchneededpublicfunds,interfereswithvitaldoctor/patient relationships, deprives sick citizensof a safe andeffectivemedicine, and restricts farmers fromgrowinganefficient, environmentally‐friendly cash crop whose demand is increasing worldwide. In this recession, the most fiscallyresponsiblechoiceonthisissuewouldbeforTexastolegalize,tax,andregulatemarijuana,asColoradoandWashingtonstateshavedonerecently.99‐100Decriminalizingpossessionalonewouldgenerate savingsof$760millionannually, at$10,000perarrest.101‐102Endingmarijuanaprohibitionaltogetherwouldsaveanestimated$7.7billioneachyear,aswellasproducinganestimated$6.2billion in tax revenue.103Regulationanda legalmarketwouldbringadditionalbenefits of increasedbordersafety,more effective treatment‐based programs for drug addicts, and prohibiting sale tominors. Safe, effectivemedicinalmarijuanawouldallowfordoctorsandpatientstochoosethemostappropriatemedicineforpatients’needs.Lastly,legalizinghempwouldprovidefarmersavaluableoptionforarotationcropandreapitsbenefitsinwaterandsoilconservationandhighproductivity,aswellasbringingTexasintoalucrativecommercialmarketthattheU.S.hasbeenleftbehindinforfartoolong.

As our representatives, please author, co‐sponsor, or submit companion bills for any legislation involving decriminalizingmarijuana(suchasH.B.184,previouslysponsoredbyHaroldDuttonofDistrict142,reducingpossessionofuptooneounceofmarijuana fromaClassB to aClassCmisdemeanor), institutingmedicinalmarijuanaprogramsoraffirmativedefenses forpatients(suchasH.B.594,previouslysponsoredbyRep.ElliottNaishtatofDistrict49,allowingamedicalnecessitydefenseforpatientsandprotectionforcaregiverswhosupporttheirpatients’choiceincourt),thelegalizationofhempforourfarmers,aswellasanyfuturebillslegalizing,taxing,andregulatingmarijuanaforresponsibleadultuse.

Thank you for your time. If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact us at(512)931‐4367(HEMP)[email protected].


OrganizationsSupportingMedicinalMarijuanaorResearchintoMedicinalMarijuana104

Nationalandinternationalorganizations:

TheAmericanMedicalAssociation(AMA) TheAmericanAcademyofHIVMedicine(AAHIVM) TheNationalCancerInstitute AmericanAnthropologicalAssociation TheAmericanBarAssociation(ABA) AmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU) TheAmericanNursesAssociation(ANA) TheAmericanPublicHealthAssociation(APHA) ArthritisResearchCampaign BritishMedicalAssociation HIVMedicineAssociationoftheInfectiousDiseasesSocietyofAmerica TheLymphomaFoundationofAmerica(LFA) TheNationalAssociationforPublicHealthPolicy NationalBlackPoliceAssociation TheNationalNursesSocietyonAddictions TheEpiscopalChurch ThePresbyterianChurchUSA TheUnitedChurchofChrist TheUnitedMethodistChurch’sBoardofChurchandSociety TheUnionofReformJudaism TheUnitarianUniversalistAssociation

State/localorganizations:

AIDSCareOceanState AIDSFoundationofChicago AIDSProjectRhodeIsland AlaskaNursesAssociation AssociatedMedicalSchoolsofNewYork CaliforniaAcademyofFamilyPhysicians CaliforniaLegislativeCouncilforOlderAmericans CaliforniaMedicalAssociation CaliforniaNursesAssociation CaliforniaPharmacistsAssociation FloridaMedicalAssociation HawaiiNursesAssociation IowaDemocraticParty KingCountyBarAssociation(Washington) TheMedicalSocietyoftheStateofNewYork MichiganDemocraticParty MinnesotaNursesAssociation MinnesotaPublicHealthAssociation MinnesotaAIDSProject MinnesotaSeniorFederation MississippiNursesAssociation MultipleSclerosisCaliforniaActionNetwork NewJerseyStateNursesAssociation

NewMexicoMedicalSociety NewYorkAIDSAdvisoryCouncil NewYorkAIDSCoalition NewYorkCountyMedicalSociety NewYorkStateAIDSAdvisoryCouncil New York State Hospice and Palliative Care

Association NewYorkStateNursesAssociation NewYorkStatewideSeniorActionCouncil NorthCarolinaNursesAssociation PhysiciansforSocialResponsibility(Oregon) RhodeIslandACLU RhodeIslandMedicalSociety RhodeIslandStateNursesAssociation SanFranciscoMedicalSociety SeniorAgendaCoalition(RhodeIsland) TexasDemocraticParty TexasNursesAssociation UnitedNursesandAlliedProfessionals(RhodeIsland) VirginiaNursesAssociation Whitman‐WalkerClinic WisconsinNursesAssociation WisconsinPublicHealthAssociation

The United Methodist Church’s Board of Church and Society has said, “Licensed medical doctors should not be

punishedforrecommendingthemedicaluseofmarijuanatoseriouslyillpeople,andseriouslyillpeopleshouldnotbesubject to sanctions for usingmarijuana if thepatient’s physicianhas told thepatient that suchuse is likely to bebeneficial.”

The Presbyterian Church supports “the use of Cannabis sativa or marijuana for legitimate medical purposes asrecommendedbyaphysician.”


TheEpiscopalChurchurges“theadoptionbyCongressandallstatesofstatutesprovidingthattheuseofmarijuanabepermittedwhendeemedmedicallyappropriatebydulylicensedmedicalpractitioners.”

The United Church of Christ has stated, “We believe that seriously ill people should not be subject to arrest andimprisonmentforusingmedicalmarijuanawiththeirdoctors’approval.”

The Unitarian Universalist Association issued a resolution in support of ending “the practice of punishing anindividualforobtaining,possessing,orusinganotherwiseillegalsubstancetotreatamedicalcondition.”

TheUnionofReformJudaismpassedaresolutionto“advocateforthenecessarychangesinlocal,stateandfederallawtopermitthemedicinaluseofmarijuanaandensureitsaccessibilityforthatpurpose.”

“When appropriately prescribed and monitored, marijuana/cannabis can provide immeasurable benefits for thehealthandwell‐beingofourpatients.Wesupportstateandfederallegislationnotonlytoremovecriminalpenaltiesassociated withmedical marijuana, but further to excludemarijuana/cannabis from classification as a Schedule Idrug.”–AmericanAcademyofHIVMedicine,2003


References 1 TexasDepartmentofPublicSafety,CrimeinTexas:2010,75,http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/pages/crimestatistics.htm

2 AlexanderDeLuca,M.D.,Crimesofindiscretion:marijuanaarrestsintheUnitedStatesexecutivesummary,http://www.doctordeluca.com/Library/WOD/CrimesOfIndiscretion‐NORML05.htm

3 JonGettman,Ph.D.,MarijuanainTexas:arrests,usage,andrelateddata,http://www.drugscience.org/States/TX/TX.pdf

4 TexasDepartmentofPublicSafety,75,78‐80

5 TheNationalCenteronAddictionandSubstanceAbuseatColumbiaUniversity,NationalsurveyofAmericanattitudesonsubstanceabuseXIV:teensandparents,http://www.casacolumbia.org/articlefiles/380‐2009%20Teen%20Survey%20Report.pdf

6 DavidE.Smith,M.D.,Acuteandchronictoxicityofmarijuana,http://www.drugtext.org/Cannabis‐marijuana‐hashisch/acute‐and‐chronic‐toxicity‐of‐marijuana.html

7 RobertMelamede,Ph.D.,Cannabisandtobaccosmokearenotequallycarcinogenic,http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1477‐7517‐2‐21.pdf

8 MarkJ.Pletcher,M.D.,M.P.H.,etal.,Associationbetweenmarijuanaexposureandpulmonaryfunctionover20years,http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1104848

9 InstituteofMedicine,Marijuanaandmedicine:assessingthesciencebase,http://books.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6376,95

10 LesterGrinspoon,M.D.,Whithermedicalmarijuana?ContemporaryDrugProblems27(1)

11 ScrippsHoward,Fall2004Texaspoll,http://www.texascompassion.com/medical‐marijuana‐polls.html

12 RasmussenReports,56%favorlegalizing,regulatingmarijuana,http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/may_2012/56_favor_legalizing_regulating_marijuana

13 PhilOliff,ChrisMai,andVincentPalacios,Statescontinuetofeelrecession’simpact,http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=711

14 MannyFernandez,AtTexasschools,makingdoonashoestring,http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/09/us/for‐texas‐schools‐a‐year‐of‐doing‐without.html?scp=1&sq=&st=nyt

15 TexasDepartmentofPublicSafety,75

16 AlexanderDeLuca,M.D.,115

17 DavidKlepper,Morestatesrelaxrulesaspotwinsacceptance,http://www.pressherald.com/news/more‐states‐relax‐rules‐as‐pot‐wins‐acceptance_2012‐06‐11.html

18 MikeMcKinney,Breakingnews:R.I.Gov.Chafeesignsintolawdecriminalizationofsmallamountsofmarijuana/poll,http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking‐news/2012/06/ri‐gov‐chafee‐s‐6.html

19 ChelseaConaboy,Massachusettsvotersapproveballotmeasuretolegalizemedicalmarijuana,http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/11/06/massachusetts‐voters‐approve‐ballot‐measure‐legalize‐medical‐marijuana/EpDzgJGfBjnOAkoXpJwm1K/story.html

20 CBSNews,MarijuanadecriminalizedinfiveMich.Cities,butpolicestillplantomakearrests,http://www.cbsnews.com/8301‐504083_162‐57547255‐504083/marijuana‐decriminalized‐in‐five‐mich‐cities‐but‐police‐still‐plan‐to‐make‐arrests/

21 KristenMack,ChicagoOkspottickets,http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012‐06‐28/news/ct‐met‐chicago‐city‐council‐0628‐20120628_1_pot‐possession‐possession‐of‐small‐amounts‐pot‐tickets

22 BobYoung,Marijuanameasurecalledeffectivebysupportersandfoes,http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2002008398_hempfest18m.html

23 WilliamBooth,MexicosaysmarijuanalegalizationinU.S.couldchangeanti‐drugstrategies,http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/mexico‐says‐marijuana‐legalization‐in‐us‐could‐change‐anti‐drug‐strategies/2012/11/08/7e6d45ba‐29ca‐11e2‐aaa5‐ac786110c486_story.html

24 AbbieBurke,BreakingdowntheprosandconsofAmendment64,http://www.coloradoconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=816192#.UKJ1pMXXbHY

25 JeffreyA.Miron,Ph.D.,Thebudgetaryimplicationsofmarijuanaprohibition,http://www.prohibitioncosts.org/wp‐content/uploads/2012/04/MironReport.pdf

26 ScrippsNews,Searchabledatabase:murdersacrosstheU.S.,http://www.scrippsnews.com/projects/murder‐mysteries/

27 DanielHernandez,DozensdeadinattacksinAcapulco,SanLuisPotosi,MexicoCity,http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/08/mexico‐violence‐mexico‐city‐spike‐reports‐acapulco‐san‐luis‐potosi.html

28 JohnBurnett,SherifftoTexasbordertown:‘Armyourselves,’http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125737965

29 GlennGreenwald,J.D.,DrugdecriminalizationinPortugal:lessonsforcreatingfairandsuccessfuldrugpolicies,http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1464837

30 CaitlinElizabethHughes,Ph.D.andAlexStevens,Ph.D.,“WhatcanwelearnfromthePortuguesedecriminalizationofillicitdrugs,”BritishJournalofCriminology50(6)

31 MalenaCastaldi,Reuters,“NewlawwouldletUruguayansgrowmarijuanaathome,inclubs,”http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/14/us‐uruguay‐marijuana‐idUSBRE8AD1Q520121114

32 AssociatedPress,“Uruguay’sgovernmentmaybecomethefirsttosellmarijuana,”CBSNews:World,http://www.cbsnews.com/8301‐202_162‐57457517/uruguays‐government‐may‐become‐first‐to‐sell‐marijuana/

33 TheNationalCenteronAddictionandSubstanceAbuseatColumbiaUniversity,3

34 ErikAltieri,NORMLCommunicationsCoordinator

35 GallupPolitics,http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/record‐high‐americans‐favor‐legalizing‐marijuana.aspx

36 U.S.Census,Texasstate&countyQuickFacts,http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48000.html


37 F.B.I.,Personsarrested,http://www.fbi.gov/about‐us/cjis/ucr/crime‐in‐the‐u.s/2011/crime‐in‐the‐u.s.‐2011/persons‐arrested/persons‐arrested

38 F.B.I.,Numberandrateofarrests,http://www.fbi.gov/about‐us/cjis/ucr/crime‐in‐the‐u.s/2010/crime‐in‐the‐u.s.‐2010/tables/10tbl30.xls

39 MahmoudA.ElSohly,Ph.D.,andDesmondSlade,Ph.D.,Chemicalconstituentsofmarijuana:thecomplexmixtureofnaturalcannabinoids,LifeSciences78(5)

40 PalPacher,M.D.,Ph.D.,etal.,Theendocannabinoidsystemasanemergingtargetofpharmacotherapy,PharmacologicalReviews58

41 InstituteofMedicine,95

42 DavidE.Smith,M.D.,10

43 RobertMelamede,Ph.D.,1

44 MarkJ.Pletcher,173

45 LesterGrinspoon,M.D.,5

46 PalPacher,M.D.,Ph.D.,etal.,390

47 PalPacher,M.D.,Ph.D.,etal.,405‐407,409‐411,417‐420,428‐436

48 BoukedeJong,M.D.,etal.,MarijuanauseanditsassociationwithadherencetoantiretroviraltherapyamongHIV‐infectedpersonswithmoderatetoseverenausea,JournalofAcquiredImmuneDeficiencySyndromes38(1)

49 DonaldI.Abrams,M.D.,etal.,CannabisinpainfulHIV‐associatedsensoryneuropathy:arandomizedplacebo‐controlledtrial,Neurology68(7)

50 MargaretHaney,Ph.D.,etal.,DronabinolandmarijuanainHIV‐positivemarijuanasmokers:caloricintake,mood,andsleep,JournalofAcquiredImmuneDeficiencySyndromes45(5)

51 ChunChao,Ph.D.,etal.,RecreationaldruguseandTlymphocytesubpopulationsinHIV‐uninfectedandHIV‐infectedmen,Drugandalcoholdependence94(1‐3)

52 RonaldJ.Ellis,M.D.,Ph.D.,etal.,SmokedmedicinalcannabisforneuropathicpaininHIV:arandomized,crossoverclinicaltrial,Neuropsychopharmacology34

53 GarethPryce,Ph.D.,Cannabinoidsinhibitneurodegenerationinmodelsofmultiplesclerosis,Brain:AJournalofNeurology126(10)

54 JoepKillestein,M.D.,Ph.D.,etal.,Immunomodulatoryeffectsoforallyadministeredcannabinoidsinmultiplesclerosis,JournalofNeuroimmunology137(1‐2)

55 DerickWade,M.D.,etal.,Long‐termuseofacannabis‐basedmedicineinthetreatmentofspasticityandothersymptomsinmultiplesclerosis,MultipleSclerosisJournal12(5)

56 SonjaStänder,M.D.,etal.,Topicalcannabinoidantagonists,DerHautarzt57(9)

57 GuyW.Neff,M.D.,PreliminaryobservationwithDronabinolinpatientswithintractablepruritussecondarytocholestaticliverdisease,TheAmericanJournalofGastroenterology97

58 MarkCollen,PrescribingCannabisforharmreduction,HarmReductionJournal9(1)

59 LesterGrinspoon,M.D.,5

60 CenterforDiseaseControl,Prescriptionpainkilleroverdoses,http://m.cdc.gov/en/VitalSigns/prescription‐painkiller‐overdoses

61 AmandaReiman,Ph.D.,Cannabisasasubstituteforalcoholandotherdrugs,HarmReductionJournal35(6)

62 AmericanMedicalAssociation,Report3oftheCouncilonScienceandPublicHealth(1‐09):useofcannabisformedicinalpurposes,http://www.ama‐assn.org/resources/doc/csaph/csaph‐report3‐i09.pdf

63 Dr.WilliamC.Woodward,LegislativeCounseloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation,testimonybeforeCongressonMay4,1937,http://www.druglibrary.org/Schaffer/hemp/taxact/woodward.htm

64 LynnZimmer,Ph.D.,andJohnP.Morgan,M.D.,Marijuanamyths,marijuanafacts(NewYork:TheLindsmithCenter),9

65 U.S.Congress,Marijuanadecriminalization–hearingbeforetheSenateSubcommitteetoInvestigateJuvenileDelinquencyonMay14,1975,https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/45858NCJRS.pdf

66 MarkJ.Pletcher,M.D.,M.P.H.,etal.,173

67 RobertMelamede,Ph.D.,1

68 RobertMelamede,Ph.D.,Review:harmreduction–thecannabisparadox,HarmReductionJournal17(2),5‐6

69 MarkJ.Pletcher,M.D.,M.P.H.,etal.,173

70 DavidE.Smith,M.D.,9‐10

71 JanC.vanOurs,Ph.D.,Iscannabisastepping‐stoneforcocaine?,JournalofHealthEconomics22(4)

72 AndrewR.Morral,Ph.D.,Reassessingthemarijuanagatewayeffect,Addiction97(12)

73 LynnZimmer,Ph.D.,andJohnP.Morgan,M.D.,32‐36

74 Lifespan,Legalizingmedicalmarijuanadoesnotincreaseuseamongyouth,studysuggests,http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111102161047.htm

75 ScrippsHoward,1

76 NORML,MedicalMarijuana,http://norml.org/legal/medical‐marijuana‐2

77 ChelseaConaboy,1

78 NORML,Emergingclinicalapplicationsforcannabisandcannabinoids:areviewoftherecentscientificliterature,fifthedition

79 “Hemp,”http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hemp

80 RenéeJohnson,Hempasanagriculturalcommodity,http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL32725.pdf


81 UniversityofMinnesota,Hempandmarijuana:genesproducingTHC,activeingredientincannabisplant,identified,

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915113538.htm

82 AgricultureandAgri‐FoodCanada,IndustrialHemp,http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC‐AAC/display‐afficher.do?id=1174595656066

83 SeatonThedinger,J.D.Candidate,ProhibitionintheUnitedStates:internationalandU.S.regulationandcontrolofindustrialhemp,ColoradoJournalofInternationalLawandPolicy17,427

84 RenéeJohnson,4

85 CaryLeizer,etal.,Thecompositionofhempseedoilanditspotentialasanimportantsourceofnutrition,JournalofNutraceuticals,Functional&MedicalFoods2(4)

86 StephanPiotrowski,Ph.D.,andMichaelCarus,Ecologicalbenefitsofhempandflaxcultivationandproducts,http://www.eiha.org/attach/643/11‐05‐13_Ecological_benefits_of_hemp_and_flax.pdf

87 RenéeJohnson,5‐6

88 NiaCherrett,etal.,Ecologicalfootprintandwateranalysisofcotton,hempandpolyester,http://www.sei‐international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/cotton%20hemp%20polyester%20study%20sei%20and%20bioregional%20and%20wwf%20wales.pdf

89 JanGerston,etal.,EfficientwateruseforTexas:policies,tools,andmanagementstrategies,http://twri.tamu.edu/reports/2002/tr200/tr200.pdf

90 JeanM.Rawson,Hempasanagriculturalcommodity,http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/RL32725.pdf,2,5‐6

91 JeanM.Rawson,3

92 AgricultureandAgri‐FoodCanada,IndustrialHempStatistics,http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC‐AAC/display‐afficher.do?id=1174495716187

93 ChristineA.Kolosov,J.D.,Evaluatingthepublicinterest:regulationofindustrialhempunderthecontrolledsubstancesact,http://uclalawreview.org/pdf/57‐1‐5.pdf

94 ErnestSmall,Ph.D.,andDavidMarcus,Hemp:anewcropwithnewusesforNorthAmerica,inTrendsinNewCropsandNewUses(JanickandWhipkey,Eds.),http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/v5‐284.html/

95 SeatonThedinger,J.D.Candidate,420

96 ScottWartman,Industrialhempmovementgrows,http://cincinnati.com/blogs/nkypolitics/2012/09/08/industrial‐hemp‐movement‐grows/

97 LibraryofCongress,BillSummary&Status:112thCongress(2011‐2012):H.R.1831,http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi‐bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.1831:

98 RenéeJohnson,5

99 WilliamBooth,MexicosaysmarijuanalegalizationinU.S.couldchangeanti‐drugstrategies

100 AbbieBurke,BreakingdowntheprosandconsofAmendment64

101 TexasDepartmentofPublicSafety,75

102 AlexanderDeLuca,M.D.,115

103 JeffreyA.Miron,Ph.D.,2‐3

104 Marijuana Policy Project, Medical marijuana endorsements and statements of support, http://www.mpp.org/reports/medical-marijuana-endorsements-and-statements-of-support.html

Texas Legislators’ Education Package · legislative session, including marijuana law reform....

Documents

Transcript of Texas Legislators’ Education Package · legislative session, including marijuana law reform....