
I don’t remember when my mind began to change on the marijuana issue; but, I am confident that the Lee family (Ann Lee and Bob Lee) had something to do with it. I was extremely sad to learn of Bob’s recent passing. When my father passed away last year, Ann trimmed the obituary from the newspaper and sent it to me in the mail with an accompanying card. I will never forget her kindness. So, when I learned of Bob’s passing, I knew right then that I needed to travel to Austin with Ann and the RAMP (Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition) advocates to support their Citizen Lobby Day at the state capitol and lobby for changes to marijuana laws.

I like what is going on with the youth of our party – the future is bright, especially with RAMP. The RAMP leadership organized a bus trip to Austin last week and scheduled meetings with our elected officials in the House and Senate, which created an organized presence at the capitol.
Twenty-two people, including SREC members, precinct chairs, doctors, lawyers, and activists, traveled from Houston with RAMP. I was delighted to see Ann, the co-founder of RAMP, in Austin. Zoe Russell, assistant executive director of RAMP, serves as a spokesman for the group and is extremely articulate when discussing the issues surrounding the decriminalization of marijuana. So, women certainly have a strong presence in the coalition’s leadership.
For many years, Ann has been advocating to elected officials and candidates about the decriminalization of marijuana. Ann’s persistence has certainly paid off. With the Right on Crime movement and the great work of Marc Levin at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, true criminal justice reform is on the horizon and becoming a mainstream concept.
Still, many elected officials and lobbyists are uncomfortable about the topic. Most elected officials sent staffers to meet with the RAMP folks. Some legislators even sent interns, which was disappointing. The good news is that all reports indicate that the staffers are squarely in RAMP’s corner.
One of the topics was House Bill 507, filed by Joe Moody, a democrat from El Paso. Republican Senator Kevin Eltife and Republican Representative Stephanie Klick filed bills relating to the medical use of cannabis. This is not a partisan issue. The so-called war on drugs has proven ineffective in this country. Marijuana wrongfully has a stoner stigma – à la Bob Marley and Bill and Ted. Currently in Texas, possession of less than two ounces of marijuana can be punished up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000.
These were the facts for fiscal year 2013 in Texas county courts:
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58,153 new misdemeanor marijuana cases were filed
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103,899 total misdemeanor marijuana cases were on the dockets
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23,986 people were sentenced to jail time for misdemeanor marijuana possession
So, how does RAMP translate the groundswell of support into action? I believe that Senator Joan Huffman is the key figure in the advance of RAMP’s initiatives. Most of you know that Senator Huffman served Harris County as an Assistant District Attorney for a number of years. Then, she was a well-respected district court judge where she presided over felony cases. In fact, my wife was one of the last prosecutors to work in Senator Huffman’s court prior to her retirement from the bench. I know that the prosecutors look to Senator Huffman to educate her fellow legislators on criminal justice issues; so, her approval of sensible marijuana laws would be invaluable.
On this trip, the RAMP folks met with a staffer in Senator Huffman’s office. As is typical with most staffers, they are good listeners and never reveal their boss’s position unless necessary or obvious. So, with Senator Huffman, there is hope.
The Houston Area Survey addresses the issue in a number of questions. In 2014, the survey asked people if they were for or against making marijuana legally available for medical purposes. The answers were as follows:
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Strongly Oppose, 21.9{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}
-
Slightly Oppose, 10.2{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}
-
Slightly Favor, 27.9{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}
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Strongly Favor, 36.6{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}
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Didn’t Know, 3.3{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}
In 2010, 2012, and 2014, the survey asked whether individuals in possession of small amounts of illegal drugs should be fined rather than jailed.
2010 |
2012 |
2014 |
|
Disagree |
29.8{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
28.6{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
25.8{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
Agree |
65{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
69.2{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
72{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
Didn’t Know |
5.2{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
2.2{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
2.2{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} |
As we know, this stands in direct contrast with the feelings of the Houston Police Officers’ Union leadership. They used this issue to drag Pat Lykos through the mud and put their guy into office. For some reason, our local politicians, especially Republicans, listen to and are motivated by this labor union. Just last week, when Houston City Councilman Oliver Pennington dared question whether the city has enough money to cover the proposed police contract he was lambasted on the labor union’s Facebook page. Shouldn’t the police union be more concerned about the failure to solve violent crimes and burglaries? And their own officers committing theft? I do not understand why Republican lawmakers care one bit about a labor union; but, I digress.
Now we are looking for a few Patriots to join us.This was a learning experience and I loved the takeaways from the trip. RAMP had given careful analysis to what was working, what wasn’t working, and most importantly, what needed to be done. RAMP has been focused, energized, and realistic about what needs to occur to move the ball. I always tell people that I work with that I am always a lot smarter 24hrs after a meetings occurred than when I am sitting in it. This situation is no different. They have already figured out the importance of the legislative staff who may not be the ones who will vote on your subject matter but are key to getting to the elected officials who will.My mind is made up that decriminalization is the way to go, but how do we get there? There is no question and survey after survey has proven that a greater number of Republicans favor some form of decriminalization combined with legalization for medicinal purposes. The real question is how do we convince our elected officials that their support of these reforms would not be used against them in a primary?
A young man on the trip told a very compelling story. He described immense pain he suffered as the result of a debilitating back injury. He explained that medicinal marijuana was a quality of life issue for him. He did not want to take the prescription painkiller route and end up with an addiction like Rush Limbaugh or Elvis Presley. Additionally, prescription pain medication left him unable to work and non-functioning. Marijuana eased the pain and allowed him to function much better than the other legal alternatives.
While I do not suffer from chronic pain, I will never forget the terrible side effects of prescription pain medication I received after I broke my leg in three places. I quit taking the medication cold turkey just a few days after the surgery and I became very ill. My doctor explained the power of this medication and the necessary weaning process. My situation was temporary and I am lucky; but, it raises important issues. How can we as a society tell someone that they cannot take something that alleviates great pain on a permanent basis? I know from MD Anderson that many of the doctors prefer marijuana not only for pain relief but also as an appetite stimulus.
For now, you can make a difference by joining RAMP and becoming informed about right on crime initiatives. Grover Norquist recently wrote an opinion piece for Time Magazine. The time has come to change the law and policy, Senator Huffman, can you give us some guidance on the issue of criminal justice reform?
The list of Patriots who traveled to Austin on behalf of RAMP:
- Don Hooper
- Cindy Barnsley
- Jane Bock
- Ann Lee
- Bonnie Lugo
- Dr. Elias Jackson
- John Baucum
- Zoe Russell
- Danielle Baucum
- Lauren Pierce
- Jorge Villareal
- Romana Harrison
- Steve Schuler
- Morad Fiki
- Kyle Coplen
- Matt Howerton
- Jeffrey Larson
- Sean Maloney
- Natalie Fabian
- Clayton Shepherd
- Jason Edward Miller
And of course Bob Lee, who was there with us in spirit!
Patriots All
The wisest course of action at this time would be to review the results of in other states which have already made changes to their marijuana laws. I was previously in the legalization camp, but the results in Colorado are quite concerning. Gather the data and learn from their issues before moving forward.
Fred, as a Colorado resident, I’m as curious as a cat about this:
” I was previously in the legalization camp, but the results in Colorado are quite concerning.”
Could you be more specific as to why I should be concerned?
The fact your governor now believes this was a mistake. He obviously is in a position to know far more about the results than I do.
“The fact your governor now believes this was a mistake.”
Not quite. From the start, Gov. Hickenlooper has said that Colorado voters made a mistake in legalizing cannabis. He has also lamented the fact the Colorado was the first state to do so because it puts the state’s laws at odds with current federal laws that classify cannabis as a Schedule One CDS (as dangerous and addictive as heroin, and lacking any medical benefit.) Colorado’s governor has been consistent in his opposition, but when the people spoke, he listened. His advice to other states in regard to delaying legalization is not without merit, but I disagree with him there. The more states that at least have the integrity to discuss it on the floor of their lege, the more likely that the feds will respect states rights, and eventually correct the mistaken classification that has been on the books since 1972.
In terms of the dire predictions made by prohibition advocates, there’s just not much evidence that they’ve materialized. I expect more states to visit the matter.
But this post is about Texas, and I think we might agree that it is unlikely that an official, on the record debate about legalization on the floor of the Texas house or senate will happen in the foreseeable future. I will be happy to see any of several bills on medical cannabis laws make it that far.
States have made small amounts of marijuana possession a civil rather than criminal offense since the 1970’s.
“In sum, there is little evidence that decriminalization of marijuana use necessarily leads to a substantial increase in marijuana use.” – National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM). 1999. Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. National Academy Press: Washington, D.C., 102.
Texas is not considering legalizing for some time, so we can wait to see results in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and any others that move forward.
If it’s so great, why not package the extract in pill form?
See Marinol…there are reasons the whole plant is safer and more effective. Too numerous to explain…research it!
Thanks for the great write up. I was on the bus, and with Bonnie’s team of patients. It has been a part of my therapy for my service connected PTSD, to work on legalizing medical cannabis for all Texans per my Vet Center doc. She says taking action in something so important helps with me regaining control of my life. Boy, is she right.
I would have long ago committed suicide if my WW2 veteran Uncle had not done an intervention in me, because I was fast drinking myself to death when he told me about French soldiers smoking cannabis with his group of D Day survivors that night, and how it saved him. My older brother had died from alcohol poisoning a few months before. I HATE the pills the VA gives me for my pain and mental anguish. They made me a non functioning zombie. Cannabis has been an exit drug for me. The side effects and permanent damage to many of my organs from the prescription drugs are more terrifying then being caugt with cannabis. We sailors and soldiers can go to war, face bombs and bullets, torture and death, come back broken and then be given dangerous pain and mental pills, but cannabis is said to be too dangerous??? I tried CBD only when I lived in CA and had my recommendation for it, and CBD only did NOT help my PTSD. Did not stop the insomnia or nightmares when I did sleep like THC. My grandma also used cannabis for her arthritis and depression, and she too wanted me to use it instead of alcohol. Her wisest words were “cannabis shouldnt be said to make you high, the truth is, it makes you happy, and what for God’s sake is wrong with that?”
Colorado’s Gov did indeed say he was wrong about how bad things would get from cannabis legalization, He said the truth of his reconsideration is that he WAS wrong in that none of the horrors of cannabis legalization he was afraid of have come to pass. ALL crime is DOWN! Less drunk accidents, less opiate deaths and overdoese, less suicides and the worst?? They may have to give some money back to the taxpayers because they have taken in so much. That is the truth about CO’s legalization. If you are for prohibition, then you are for kids getting it and the cartels staying in business. Cuz cannabis stores card everone, and legal growers supply safe, tested quality cannabis. Just like making alcohol legal to stop rotgut and the mob. Time to do the same for cannabis!!!
Thanks to Ann Lee, Zoe, John, Bonnie and all the rest for this fantastic, reasonable, science and fact based group of amazing inindividuls for fighting the good fight. This Navy veteran thanks you with all her heart!!!
Thank you for your service, I do consider this one of the more important stories I have written. As a side note, I have never written a story that has been so widely read and redistributed by others.
The honor was all mine.
With all due respect to your service, doesn’t every soldier exposed to combat undergo the same experience? Why do some end up with ptsd and some don’t? If there is a need, through some incredible circumstances, for every able bodied person to participate in defense of our nation from the foreign invading enemy, does that mean that once it’s over everyone of those people will be going on a permanent lifelong disability with social security being their only source of income, because none of them are any longer able to do anything except suffer from ptsd?
Marijuana is bad for people; prison is worse.
Users do it to themselves and suffer by their own hand,
yet we inflict prison upon them. I cannot see the morality in this.
I’m pleased to see that RAMP, along with LEAP, were present at CPAC this week.
http://www.rampgop.org/2015/02/republicans-against-marijuana-prohibition-ramp-sponsors-cpac/