Numerous individuals living in the state of Texas, who are suffering from chronic conditions like cancer, seizures and other ailments, could potentially be helped through the supervised prescribed use of various forms of medical marijuana. However, in Texas, most forms of medical marijuana are illegal.
This could change if State Senator Jose Menendez gets his way. The state senator announced plans to submit a bill on Tuesday morning to further expand the way marijuana can be used for medical purposes in Texas. If the bill is approved, then Texas would join 28 other states in American that have already approved medical marijuana usage.
What’s the current status of medical marijuana in Texas?
Texas lawmakers legalized medical marijuana for very limited purposes via state law SB 339. The problem is that the use limitations are so strict that the only people who can benefit are patients suffering from intractable palsy or uncontrolled epilepsy who currently receive a prescription to use cannabis oil. This means that just an infinitesimally small percentage of patients can benefit from medical marijuana in our state.
How could State Senator Menendez’ bill change medical marijuana usage laws?
If passed, the bill introduced by Menendez would allow people suffering from cancer and other serious conditions to get access to medical marijuana. This would allow these individuals to legally receive the important benefits of this proven medication without facing the threat of arrest and imprisonment.
The senator stressed that the bill did not cover recreational marijuana use. He merely wants medical doctors to be able to prescribe medical marijuana to those who need it. He further stated that it is not to be used for stomachaches and headaches, but by those who have a true medical need for the drug.
Were you arrested for a marijuana-related crime?
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for residents of San Antonio with grave and serious medical conditions to get in trouble with the law for self-medicating and self-treating their illnesses with marijuana, which is currently illegal in nearly all its forms. If you have been arrested and accused of a marijuana crime because you were merely trying to treat your illness, you may want to get in touch with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend yourself in court.