Marijuana Legalization - Politico for Beginners

"A guv's race that's prominent like the one that is showing up, where it might be Beto O'Rourke versus Greg Abbott, that's the very best chance to press these populist wedge concerns." But Joshua Blank, research director for the Texas Politics Task at UT-Austin, said cannabis legalization isn't a "awfully essential issue" for voters on its own.

Supporters for legalization tie the issue to racial justice. In his 2011 book, O'Rourke connected the drug's restriction in the early 20th century to racist fears of Mexican immigrants. Supporters today highlight the racial disparities in existing law's enforcement. Black Texans are 2. 6 times most likely than white Texans to be arrested for cannabis ownership, according to an April 2020 ACLU report.

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State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, who functioned as political director on O'Rourke's 2018 project, stated the tide is turning on policies associating with cannabis enforcement. For example, Home Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, co-authored the 2019 bill that would have reduced charges for belongings prior to Patrick eliminated it. "A Gov.

But ultimately, to get something to the guv's desk, you've got to get it through the Senate," Moody said. "Our focus has to be on altering hearts and minds in the Senate." Moody would know something about changing viewpoints. Now among the Legislature's most significant advocates of minimizing penalties for marjiuana charges, he said he disagreed with O'Rourke's position on marijuana a decade ago.

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However he stated he's since grown "a lot more comfortable" with the idea that legalization is "a major piece of the puzzle." O'Rourke was "ahead of the curve" on marijuana legalization, Moody stated, a quality he added the general public needs to look for from their leaders. For Moody, El Paso which became the very first U.S.

Illinois Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Legalization - National News - US News

"If you're going to right the incorrect, if you believe this is a scourge on our system, and it began here, then let's let it end here. Let's blaze a trail to end it," Moody said. "That certainly is something that taxes my mind and on my shoulders when I work on this policy, and I envision it's the very same for [O'Rourke]" Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin has actually been a financial advocate of The Texas Tribune, a not-for-profit, nonpartisan news organization that is moneyed in part by donations from members, foundations and business sponsors.

Solution Can Be Seen Here  pay off its debt a day after legalizing marijuana?  No"/>Montana Marijuana Legalization Bill Passes in Senate - Montana News - US  News

Republican-backed bill would federally decriminalize marijuana - Questions

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