Sid Miller, Texas Agricultural Commissioner, has pushed for access to medical cannabis in the state. He feels that it could pave the way for necessary regulation of the industry and make it more accessible.
A recent opinion article, posted by Miller himself on the state website, compares marijuana laws to the failed 1920s alcohol #prohibition laws. In Texas, medical cannabis is only legal for patients who have been diagnosed with epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, autism, ALS, terminal cancer, spasticity, and neurodegenerative disease. However, there are many more #Texans who could benefit from medical cannabis but can’t access it legally.
The Texas Department of Agriculture commissioner and the Hemp Industries Association have both called on the state to increase access to medical cannabis in order to help Texans who could benefit from it.
Texas Woefully Behind Its Neighbor States
The medical marijuana debate has been going on for years. The Texas legislature has been debating the issue and its potential benefits, but they have not yet come to a decision.
In a state where the opioid crisis is rampant, many Texans are advocating for the legalization of medical marijuana for pain relief. As of now, Texas is woefully behind its neighboring states in legalizing medical marijuana.
The opioid crisis exacerbates the mental health issues steadily on the rise, and medical marijuana can be helpful in abating this scourge. It even has the additional benefits of killing cancer cells, slowing tumor growth, and stimulating the appetite of chronic sufferers to gain weight.
The states where medical marijuana is currently legal include Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont and Washington.
Despite this long list, the State of Texas still finds itself dragging its heels at the expense of its citizens.
Follow To Lead
Texas was at least able to legalize hemp cultivation in 2020, and Miller was one of the forerunners to grow hemp on his property and even predicted that Texas would become a leader in the hemp production industry.
The Texas Agricultural Commissioner has been an avid follower and supporter of the movement. He has even suggested increasing access so that “every Texan with a medical need has access to these medicines.”
Miller also went on to state that “It is time for all of us, including the Governor, members of the Texas Legislature and others to come together and set aside our political differences to have an honest conversation about cannabis: where we have been, where we are going and what role government should properly play.”
This serves as a rallying call for all who heed the missive of a single individual standing up for the many. In his words, Miller exemplifies what it means to be a proud Texan and a proud American. He also proves that he was willing to get his hands dirty to follow the trend and now stands as one of the voices that are heeded.
Then again, Miller may just be one voice out of hundreds that can easily be silenced by the crushing weight of government. It may take more voices of dissent to rise up and join him.
Science has already proven the curative properties of medical marijuana, and it’s just a matter of time before it reaches its tipping point, just like what happened with the alcohol bans in the early 1900s.
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