Marijuana Ballot Measures Spark Discussion in Texas
After Colorado and Washington voted on Tuesday to ease marijuana laws, some proponents of legalization think their cause could pick up steam in other states, including Texas.
After Colorado and Washington voted on Tuesday to ease marijuana laws, some proponents of legalization think their cause could pick up steam in other states, including Texas.
The Texas Tribune is pleased to provide the opportunity for you to share your observations about this story. We encourage lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask that you refrain from using profanity or other offensive speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising, or wandering away from the topic at hand. To comment, you must be a registered user of the Tribune, and your user name will be displayed. Thanks for taking time to offer your thoughts.
Comments (10)
Leon Drozd
Doesn't Texas already have an obesity epidemic?
visule
I think it should be decriminalized with conditions, not legalized.
The drug war is to costly to society to continue
Another 99%
Legalize, tax like alcohol, release millions from prisons, saving $billion of your taxes. Recend pot prosecutions, to help them get jobs, a lot of issues and problems solved, yes? And balance budgets, fund schools, better roads, mass transit, move Texas and America forward. Concentrate drug enforcement of serious issues, herion, cocaine, meth. Legalization strips Gangs of money, influence, and the stepping stone to harder drugs.
David Spratt
Recend pot prosecutions, to help them get jobs, a lot of issues and problems solved, yes? And balance budgets, fund schools, better roads, mass transit, move Texas and America forward.
I guess we would give them jobs as AP mechanics , teachers, one can drive the TRE,, How about welders and pipefitters? There are lots of need for truck drivers. Airplane pilots, School bus drivers. Electricians,,, that would make a lot of work for all the firefighters. Maybe they could work in construction or cabinet shops ,, after all you can lose a few fingers and still be somewhat productive.
Where exactly would all these people work while toking on a joint?
Weben Had
Legalize it!
1) This is the only known drug that cannot kill you no matter how much you smoke!
Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprophrene, Zanax, Steriods, Diet pills, alcohol, and even health suppliments, all can kill you when taken excessively!
2) God made as is!!
3) Also, it would allow law-enforcememnt to focus on all that man-made crap that's on the streets killing people and ruining lives!
4) It would also single handily wipe out most cartels bc Mexican Authorities would be able to focus on imported chemicals use to make the other crap.
Weben Had
5) Medically proven to help many medical conditions with no harmful side-effects.
6) Added revenue would help schools, hospitals, fire depts, etc!
7) Reduce court cost
8) free up law-enforcement facilities and man-popwer!
Jo Jimerson
This will not happen in Texas for many years (though it will happen eventually). To those that ask what jobs people will be doing as they "toke"--uh, none for long. Just like it's not acceptable to go to work now under the influence of alcohol or drugs not prescribed by a doctor, it would be impermissible to do so under the influence of marijuana. I don't know many welders or pipefitters (or teachers, or bus drivers) who think it OK to show up for work drunk--if they do, they get fired. Making marijuana legal is a far cry from making it legal or OK to be under the influence 24/7. I agree I wouldn't want to get on a plane with a pilot who just smoked--just like I wouldn't want to be on a plane with a pilot who just downed a few shots at the airport bar.
Brandon Estes via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It would be quite a money-maker if regulated. It's also less dangerous than alcohol consumption, and would eliminate the violence brought on by pot on the "black-market". It's quite obvious that the "War On Drugs" is not only not working, but costing the country wayyyy too much money.
Samdavis
It's just like casino gambling; the Southern Baptist Church doesn't like it so they won't let it pass. If it equals fun, baptists don't believe in it.
Michael Hull
David Spratt:
I would imagine the same number of employers that allow employees to booze it up at work would allow employees to smoke dope while at work--very few.