INSIDER
Ken Paxton adds Dallas to list of cities he's sued over marijuana decriminalization
Read full article: Ken Paxton adds Dallas to list of cities he's sued over marijuana decriminalizationDallas is the sixth Texas city the attorney general has sued this year over marijuana decriminalization measures that he says conflicts with state law.
Delta-8 hemp and Texas medical marijuana industries to face off in the upcoming legislative session
Read full article: Delta-8 hemp and Texas medical marijuana industries to face off in the upcoming legislative sessionMedical marijuana providers say they must operate under strict rules while hemp products like delta-8 can proliferate.
THC Club in Houston accused of laundering $4.5 million by selling actual marijuana at dispensaries
Read full article: THC Club in Houston accused of laundering $4.5 million by selling actual marijuana at dispensariesA criminal enterprise in Houston, known as “THC Club,” is accused of laundering over $4.5 million through illegal marijuana sales across 18 locations in Harris County.
Marijuana decriminalization measures in San Marcos, Austin get early court wins
Read full article: Marijuana decriminalization measures in San Marcos, Austin get early court winsThree other cities have passed similar measures but the Texas AG and others question whether they can be enforced because of conflicts with state law.
Dallas voters could get the chance to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana
Read full article: Dallas voters could get the chance to decriminalize small amounts of marijuanaOther cities have passed similar measures, but Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to block them from going into effect.
Strict rules over delta-8 and delta-9 likely for Texas’ booming hemp industry
Read full article: Strict rules over delta-8 and delta-9 likely for Texas’ booming hemp industryLawmakers are struggling to balance demands for medicinal cannabis products with a wildly growing market that is outpacing meaningful regulation.
Lubbock voters reject attempt to end arrests for possessing small amounts of marijuana
Read full article: Lubbock voters reject attempt to end arrests for possessing small amounts of marijuanaA ballot proposition would have instructed police not to arrest people who have four ounces or less of marijuana.
As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?
Read full article: As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?A federal proposal to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug has raised the hopes of some pot backers that more states will embrace cannabis.
Marijuana could be classified as a Schedule 3 drug, here’s what that means
Read full article: Marijuana could be classified as a Schedule 3 drug, here’s what that meansThe U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is moving toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Justice Department proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis, but wouldn’t legalize it for recreational use.
Understanding THC: The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis
Read full article: Understanding THC: The primary psychoactive compound in cannabisHey friends! 🌿🔬 Curious about cannabis and its compounds? 🌱 Check out this fascinating article that breaks down THC, CBD, Delta-9, Delta-10, and marijuana. 🌿🔥 Learn about their effects, differences, and potential medical uses. #CannabisExplained #THCvsCBD #MedicalMarijuana #StayInformed
Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakers
Read full article: Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakersThere is no process in Texas for a voter-driven statewide referendum. So, supporters are going city by city to build statewide momentum.
Police investigate suspected illegal marijuana growing operation near Bellaire
Read full article: Police investigate suspected illegal marijuana growing operation near BellaireBellaire Police stated via Facebook they were part of the team investigating a suspected illegal marijuana operation and that arrests were pending.
Voters in one of West Texas’ largest cities will decide whether to decriminalize marijuana in 2024
Read full article: Voters in one of West Texas’ largest cities will decide whether to decriminalize marijuana in 2024Voters in several Texas cities have sought to decriminalize marijuana. However, their efforts have been met by reluctant city councils that say they can’t go against state law.
Residents in one of Texas’ most populous cities are working to decriminalize marijuana
Read full article: Residents in one of Texas’ most populous cities are working to decriminalize marijuanaHome to more than 260,000 people, the West Texas town of Lubbock is no stranger to passing local laws by petition. In 2021, residents overwhelmingly approved a local ban on abortion.
More than 100 pounds of marijuana, THC edibles confiscated at illegal dispensary in SW Houston
Read full article: More than 100 pounds of marijuana, THC edibles confiscated at illegal dispensary in SW HoustonAuthorities said multiple arrests were made and more than 100 pounds of drugs were seized at an illegal dispensary in southwest Houston last week.
Houston man helps police track down stolen equipment using Apple AirTag
Read full article: Houston man helps police track down stolen equipment using Apple AirTagA Houston man reportedly helped police track down his stolen equipment using an Apple AirTag last month.According to officials, the man filed a report with Houston Police Department on May 19 and detectives were able to quickly track down his property on May 26.
Marijuana linked to mental health risks in young adults, growing evidence shows
Read full article: Marijuana linked to mental health risks in young adults, growing evidence showsOver the last decade of diagnosing countless young patients with new psychotic disorders, one striking result has stuck out for a psychiatrist.
Push to reduce criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana gaining traction in Texas
Read full article: Push to reduce criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana gaining traction in TexasUnder current state law, possessing two to four ounces of marijuana could send you to jail for up to a year and cost you $4000. House Bill 218 would remove criminal penalties for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana or cannabis concentrate.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Sneaky devices your kids could be using to hide drugs
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates: Sneaky devices your kids could be using to hide drugsYou already know what illegal drugs like cocaine, opioids and marijuana look like, but have you seen the sneaky, new devices kids are using to hide drugs from their parents?
In a Central Texas county, high schoolers are jailed on felony charges for vaping what could be legal hemp
Read full article: In a Central Texas county, high schoolers are jailed on felony charges for vaping what could be legal hempPolice often can’t tell if a cannabis vape pen is derived from marijuana or legal hemp, like the delta-8 products on display in gas stations across Texas. That doesn’t stop them from making felony arrests in high schools.
Texas veterans vow to protect the state’s hemp market as one state lawmaker hopes to crack down
Read full article: Texas veterans vow to protect the state’s hemp market as one state lawmaker hopes to crack downThe new delta-8 hemp products, which are widely available, can produce a high similar to marijuana’s. State Sen. Charles Perry said he and his peers never intended for such products to reach the market.
Voters in five Texas cities approved decriminalizing marijuana. Now city officials are standing in the way.
Read full article: Voters in five Texas cities approved decriminalizing marijuana. Now city officials are standing in the way.Some local leaders say they worry the changes violate state law, while residents who supported decriminalizing marijuana say the pushback disrespects democracy.
Five Texas cities vote to decriminalize having small amounts of marijuana
Read full article: Five Texas cities vote to decriminalize having small amounts of marijuanaVoters in Denton, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Harker Heights overwhelmingly supported the local ballot propositions to decriminalize low-level possession. These moves followed Austin voters’ similar decision in May.
President Biden is calling for marijuana possession pardons. But that doesn’t mean it’ll happen in Texas.
Read full article: President Biden is calling for marijuana possession pardons. But that doesn’t mean it’ll happen in Texas.Biden’s federal pardons will help at least 6,500 people, though most possession crimes are charged at the state level. Gov. Greg Abbott hasn’t yet said whether he’ll follow suit. Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke was quick to support the measure.
Biden to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession
Read full article: Biden to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possessionPresident Joe Biden on Thursday announced he will take executive action to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession.
$450K worth of Hydro weed, Xanax found at ‘highly sophisticated’ grow house in Brazoria County, sheriff says
Read full article: $450K worth of Hydro weed, Xanax found at ‘highly sophisticated’ grow house in Brazoria County, sheriff saysA massive haul of dope was kept off the streets after authorities discovered what they said was a “highly sophisticated” marijuana grow house in Freeport, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Former Houston Rocket Iman Shumpert arrested for felony marijuana possession at Dallas airport
Read full article: Former Houston Rocket Iman Shumpert arrested for felony marijuana possession at Dallas airportTen-year NBA veteran — and Dancing With The Stars winner — Iman Shumpert has been arrested on a felony marijuana charge at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
CBD, hemp, delta-8, medical marijuana: Here’s what you need to know about Texas’ pot laws
Read full article: CBD, hemp, delta-8, medical marijuana: Here’s what you need to know about Texas’ pot lawsIn 2019, Texas legalized hemp, but not marijuana. The new law led to confusion about which marijuana products are legal in Texas. Meanwhile, support for legalizing the drug remains high in polling, and other cannabis-derived products like delta-8 have emerged.
9-year-old Klein ISD student suspended after being given cannabis-laced candy by another student at Krahn Elementary, family says
Read full article: 9-year-old Klein ISD student suspended after being given cannabis-laced candy by another student at Krahn Elementary, family saysAngela Rose is worried and upset after learning that her 9-year-old daughter who is a 3rd-grade student at Krahn Elementary School ate candy infused with marijuana which was brought to the campus by another student.
Bride, caterer arrested after guests say food was laced with marijuana at Florida wedding, report says
Read full article: Bride, caterer arrested after guests say food was laced with marijuana at Florida wedding, report saysAuthorities in Florida arrested a bride and a caterer after wedding guests claimed the food was laced with marijuana at a wedding in February, according to KPRC 2′s sister station WKMG.
Analysis: Texas politicians can change their minds. But it helps if the public goes first.
Read full article: Analysis: Texas politicians can change their minds. But it helps if the public goes first.Gov. Greg Abbott’s openness to marijuana decriminalization shows that the state, while conservative, isn’t immune to larger trends.
Delta-8 is legal in Texas — for now — after Travis County judge blocks state from criminalizing the cannabis extract
Read full article: Delta-8 is legal in Texas — for now — after Travis County judge blocks state from criminalizing the cannabis extractA Travis County judge temporarily blocked the state from listing delta-8 as a Schedule I drug, which effectively made it illegal. The cannabis extract became popular because users say it produces the “high” effect of marijuana.
Alief ISD police investigating after parents say 12-year-old daughter was given THC-laced cookies at school
Read full article: Alief ISD police investigating after parents say 12-year-old daughter was given THC-laced cookies at schoolAlief ISD Police are investigating allegations a student distributed cookies, believed to be laced with THC, to other students during a lunch break, district officials confirmed Thursday.
Texas cancer patients and people with PTSD will soon be able to join state’s expanded medical marijuana program
Read full article: Texas cancer patients and people with PTSD will soon be able to join state’s expanded medical marijuana programA new law going into effect Sept. 1 will also increase the cap of THC in medical marijuana to 1%.
Watered-down expansion of Texas’ medical marijuana program signed into law
Read full article: Watered-down expansion of Texas’ medical marijuana program signed into lawHouse Bill 1535 expands eligibility for the Texas Compassionate Use Program to people with cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. It's effective Sept. 1.
Dan Patrick again blocking effort to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program, advocates say
Read full article: Dan Patrick again blocking effort to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program, advocates sayHouse Bill 1535 would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans with post-traumatic stress disorder. But it hasn’t yet been referred to a Senate committee.
Pending state legislation offers veterans use of marijuana for PTSD treatment
Read full article: Pending state legislation offers veterans use of marijuana for PTSD treatmentU.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Arthur Davis spent decades overseas serving his country, sometimes in the most precarious combat situations on earth.
Virginia lawmakers vote to legalize marijuana in 2024
Read full article: Virginia lawmakers vote to legalize marijuana in 2024RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia lawmakers gave final approval Saturday to a bill that will legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, but not until 2024, when retail sales of the drug would also begin. With a compromise bill clearing the House and Senate, Virginia becomes the first Southern state to vote to legalize marijuana, joining 15 other states and the District of Columbia. AdUnder the legislation, possession of up to an ounce (28.3 grams) of marijuana will become legal beginning Jan. 1, 2024, at the same time sales will begin and regulations will go into effect to control the marijuana marketplace in Virginia. Lawmakers last year decriminalized marijuana, making simple possession a civil penalty that can be punished by a fine of no more than $25. “Today, the Virginia General Assembly failed to legalize marijuana for racial justice.
Bills aim to expand legality of marijuana in Texas this legislative session
Read full article: Bills aim to expand legality of marijuana in Texas this legislative sessionHOUSTON – There are no less than 20 bills up for consideration regarding marijuana this legislative session in Texas but don’t bet the farm that any of them will become law. He said he believes that without the governor and lieutenant governor on board, marijuana legalization in Texas is destined for failure. “Criminal Justice Chair John Whitmire is right that HB63 is dead in the Texas Senate,” Texas Lt. Gov. In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a marijuana “Compassionate Use” law that allows doctor-prescribed low-THC-level marijuana to epilepsy patients. There are more bills up for consideration this legislative session that would further expand marijuana treatment options.
House votes to decriminalize marijuana at federal level
Read full article: House votes to decriminalize marijuana at federal levelThis image from House Television shows the final vote, 228-164, in the House on passage of a bill to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level. (House Television via AP)WASHINGTON – The Democratic-controlled House on Friday approved a bill to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level, reversing what supporters call a failed policy of criminalizing pot use and taking steps to address racial disparities in enforcement of federal drug laws. “Whatever one’s views are on the use of marijuana for recreational or medicinal use, the policy of arrests, prosecution and incarceration at the federal level has proven unwise and unjust.″Drug reform advocates called the House vote historic, noting it is the first time comprehensive legislation to decriminalize marijuana has passed the full House or Senate. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., called the House bill an important racial justice measure. Instead of allowing a vote on the GOP bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is “actually focused more on legalizing pot,'' Scalise said.
The unexpected winner on election night? Drugs
Read full article: The unexpected winner on election night? DrugsWhile we may not know if President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden won the presidential election for a while longer, there was one clear “winner” on election night, and that was recreational drugs. States across the country have been legalizing recreational marijuana every election cycle, and 2020 was no different. Residents in New Jersey, Arizona, Montana and South Dakota all voted to legalize recreational cannabis, and South Dakota also legalized medical marijuana, along with Mississippi. South Dakota became the first state to legalize medical and recreational marijuana in the same election. For the first time in U.S. history, the state of Oregon decriminalized possession of hard drugs, as well as voted to legalize psychedelic mushrooms.
Houston man imprisoned for stashing over $400,000 worth of marijuana in stash house in Texas border town
Read full article: Houston man imprisoned for stashing over $400,000 worth of marijuana in stash house in Texas border townHOUSTON – A Houston man was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison following a conviction of possession with intent to distribute a large amount of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick on Wednesday. Roberto Garcia Saldana pleaded guilty June 9, confessing his involvement in a marijuana stash house in Zapata, a Texas border town. Authorities said Saldana admitted that he knew there were drugs inside the trailer and that he was storing for others. Authorities conducted surveillance on what they suspected to be a marijuana stash house in Zapata on May 2, 2017. Inside the trailer, authorities discovered 50 bundles of marijuana, totaling about 476 kilograms with an approximate value of $420,000.
Top agriculture official says he’s in favor of Texas expanding medical marijuana
Read full article: Top agriculture official says he’s in favor of Texas expanding medical marijuanaHOUSTON – Should Texas expand medical marijuana? Well, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller believes the state should. During a tour of the Austin-based marijuana facility Compassionate Cultivation on Thursday, Miller said he wanted to learn more about how hemp, THC and medical marijuana can help people. After meeting with a group of parents whose children use medical marijuana for autism and other conditions, Miller said he is in favor of expanding the use of medical marijuana, according to a report by Austin NBC affiliate KXAN. “I would certainly expand medical marijuana.
Hemp or Marijuana? Houston lab can finally tell the difference
Read full article: Hemp or Marijuana? Houston lab can finally tell the differenceHOUSTON The Houston Forensic Science Center has developed a chemical test that can differentiate between hemp and marijuana, making it possible for prosecutors to more easily prosecute misdemeanor marijuana cases in Texas. When a Texas law defining hemp and marijuana went into effect in June 2019, labs in Texas were not prepared to provide the evidence prosecutors needed to enforce the law. The law defined hemp as cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC, and marijuana with above 0.3 percent THC. Hemp can smell and look like marijuana, and vice versa, said Peter Stout, President and CEO of HFSC. If you buy a CBD product or other hemp or cannabis product, you have no way of knowing whats in that, you just dont, Stout said.
Willie Nelson hosting ‘Come and Toke It’ variety show on 4/20
Read full article: Willie Nelson hosting ‘Come and Toke It’ variety show on 4/20The world's other most-famous musical weed enthusiast, Willie Nelson, will be hosting a variety show Monday in honor of 4/20. "Come and Toke It" is being presented by Nelson and Luck Reunion. "This 4/20 at 4:20 PM CT we're bringing together artists, chefs, comedians, educators and more for 4 hours and 20 minutes of cannabis-centric entertainment hosted by Willie Nelson himself -- all from the comfort of quarantine," the description reads on a YouTube video promoting the event. "Whether you partake or not, this is your chance to live the dream," a posting on the site stated. Select videos will be featured during the Come And Toke It broadcast before Willie takes the last hit on air."