HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE

Hearing Date: April 6, 2021 1:00 PM - or upon final adjourn./recess or bill referral if permission granted Printed on: April 8, 2021 2:15 PM COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

2020-2028 TX-LIBERTARIAN/CENTRIST Rickey Morris Jr, Presidential Candidate NLECO NEW LEVELS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LLC 40 Cypress Creek Pkwy; 317 , TX 77090 (800) 414-8013

#cutthecheck #endthewaronhumans #nomorewar #EconomyforAll #endpolicebrutality #endthewarondrugs #endprisonprofitsonhumanabuse #reperationsforall #wearethefuture #weareone #governmentforthepeoplebythepeople #godblessusall #godsaveusall #healthylifestyle #healthyfood #coronavirusisstillkillingpeople #americanrescueplan #$5Kperpersonpermonthreccurringretroactive

Kimberly Phipps-Nichol self 3726 Lake St Houston, TX 77098 (775) 560-2612

On the penalty reduction and legalization fronts there are several bills to debate in the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Not sure what may be able to be combined with the multitude, but it is long past time for to be as gung-ho about supporting citizen’s cannabis civil liberties as they are about all their other freedoms. Please support, as early as possible, any of these bills that would drive equitable, responsible and just change for the good of Texans. And please don’t get distracted by the mis- information often shared by police and sheriff’s unions relative to crime and teenage use/gateway drugs. It amounts to fear- mongering and has been disproven by numerous quality sources. As Judge Delaney reminds us, the collateral damage done by the punitive laws around cannabis is far too great a price to pay for a plant.

Veronica Vella Self 1153 Florida Ave Corpus Christi, TX 78404 (361) 673-2211

I have been suffering with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, muscle spasms, nerve damage, carpal tunnel, PTSD (from traumatic sexual, emotional, mental and physical abuse). I also suffer from depression and anxiety. I have been on several different pharmaceutical medications that have not helped me. Cannabis (Marijuana) has helped me so much more without the horrible side effects! It can help so many more who are suffering from a variety of illnesses!

Denise Brereton Efficiency for Humanity and retired self 11200 Montana Ave.; Trlr #106 El, TX 79936 (915) 261-7932 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1531441253019&type=3

Page 1 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

The Texas Controlled Substances Act needs to be abolished!

Roy Grimes Self Student 280 Cedar Grove Trail Van Alstyne, TX 75495 (903) 818-1113

I'm in support of this bill

Paul Shirar, Dr. Self 5801 Oldham Drive McKinney, TX 75070 (972) 757-4521

A brief background; I am the son of a 28 year U.S. Air Force vet from Texas. I very much enjoyed the benefit of living overseas in my early life thanks to my dad’s work. I hold three degrees including a bachelors in management information systems, and a masters in public policy and administration. I am the husband to a passionate school teacher and the father to an intelligent, creative, history-loving son. As a Texas resident who suffers daily from degenerative cervical stenosis and chronic pain with chronic migraines, I have been on the turbulent prescription-opioid rollercoaster for a number of years against my better judgement yet at the behest of a pain management doctor. Those were the worst years of my life! Rarely did I leave the house, let alone my bed, during those dark days. I am eternally grateful that there are those who have found that a therapeutic non-addictive herb not only assists in breaking unwanted opioid addictions so that one can be an active member of their community again, but has the added benefit of minimizing and in some documented cases eliminating pain entirely. It befuddles me, as it does a growing majority, as to why anyone would persist with illogical archaic rhetoric, repeatedly proven as blatant disinformation, regarding cannabis in this age. Science, medicine, and health should never fall into the realm of political partisanship. Please believe me when I tell you that your constituents are not misinformed and should never be patronized. If nothing else, please take this with you: But for an unjust law, cannabis users are otherwise law-abiding citizens.

Kyle Cureton self 1129 Wingate Dr Bedford, TX 76021 (817) 637-6525

I support this bill. State and Federal governments should end the prohibition of cannabis. I believe in conservative values and lessening the control government has in the lives of citizens.

Collin Nesbitt, USA/Retired Self 1131; Vista View Drive Burleson, TX 76028 (817) 262-7925

I’m 100% disabled Iraq war veteran for PTSD and Cancer. I was caught growing medical cannabis and was charged with 3 state jail felony’s. I currently have a prescription for cannabis under TCUP. I had a valid license from the state of California. Me and my family has been run through the ringer I have a deactivated security clearance with the DOD and served honorably. CPS was

Page 2 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609 involved in my case and I was convicted of child endangerment and told I’m not a good father. Is this how Texas treats its veterans? I’m shocked at the extent Johnson county went to prosecute me and I feel that was completely a waist of tax payers money and rediculos I never sold cannabis it was only used for medicinal purposes this drag net laws and convictions is inhuman and a waist of time and money. Thank You, Collin Nesbitt (817) 262-7925

Amber York Self - Farmer 7719 CR 4801 Athens, TX 75752 (903) 203-8804

Genesis1:29-30 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God Made this plant. Who are you to go against God? In God We Trust. God Please Bless Texas and Free this Miraculous Plant. In Jesus Name

Chris Griffith Self Product Manager 15008 Ravens Way Roanoke, TX 76262 (714) 495-0089

I support this legislation. Thank you for your consideration and service! kevin giles self-teacher 1205 EDD RD , TX 752534008 (972) 533-0065

I support this legislation. Thank you for your consideration and service but it is time to move on from this pointless war on people.

Heather Turner Self, Director of Client Relations 6519 Grove Creek San antonio, TX 78256 (210) 371-1289

I am a native Texan and an educated, productive member of our community. I have a family and a beautiful home. I am younger than 30 and have traveled all over the world. I paid my own way through college. And I am in full support of reducing marijuana penalties and marijuana decriminalization and legalization. Thank you for your consideration and service!

Wanda Lawson, Mrs.

Page 3 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

Self/Retired 330 WHISPERING PINE DR SCROGGINS, TX 75480 (903) 575-8063

I am a TCUP patient. THC has saved my life. The Texas laws are too strict for us with qualifying diagnosis. It has helped many of my health issues that are not on the state list. Decriminalizing marijuana would help so many who suffer, such as myself...along with removing it from Schedule 1. Marijuana has never killed anyone, can't say that for RX drugs, cocaine, heroine, alcohol, and the like. It is a common sense issue, not Reefer Madness from ions ago. Decriminalization would be a huge step in moving forward to help those who suffer, the elderly, veterans, and the terminally ill. Let's move forward away from false information and get these 8 bills passed.

Chad Dietz Self 502 Shore Dr Wylie, TX 75098 (469) 406-2626

Legalize it completely

Dan Brumbaugh Self 118 Ridgeway Dr San Marcos, TX 78666 (832) 754-0304

Please vote to pass this bill. The majority of your constituents support it.

Jane Burt NA 1045 15th Place Apt 451; 451 Plano, TX 75074 (936) 590-1759

As a former resident of Louisiana, I've personally witnessed the impact of medical marijuana. Any possession of marijuana without intent to sell or distribute should be decriminalized completely. Particularly if they can prove it is for medicinal purposes. Why would it be illegal for someone to try and retain their sight if they have glaucoma or not vomit if they are taking chemo or reduce the amount of length of seizures or sleep if they have insomnia or move free of pain? Why is that a crime? It makes NO sense and it's unfair to those desperate for help.

Leah Bear CIAAG 7301 CR203A #5 Liverpool, TX 77577 (979) 313-6139

Be kind, be smart and leglize Cannabis. This state could make millions in tax revenue. Create a quality medical MMJ program with quality Drs and then stop trying to micro manage THC percentage or caps. Leave that to Drs. In a time when pain medication is near impossible to obtain cannabis, one of the only atlternatives for people who live in chronic unrelenting pain and

Page 4 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609 have medical issues for which Cannabis is a better alternative than pharmaceuticals. Lt Gov Dan Patrick does not represent the will of the people on this subject . He represents his personal beliefs which is not what he was elected for and people are tired of it. No one should be botherd by law enforcement or fined or imprisoned for the possession of a God given plant.

Vicki Vaszauskas Self 113 No. 20th Street Lamesa, TX 79331 (806) 759-8338

I support all cannabis bills thank you for your consideration.

Justine Sawyers Self/for my disabled mother 4522 scenic cir Garland, TX 75043 (214) 533-2599

I want to get my mother off these toxic man made pain killers. Let mother nature's remedy work her magic. I've lost 2 family members from their organs shutting down due to all the Tylenol in pain meds/cold meds. Who ever OD'd on marijuana?

Velton Lakey, Mr. everlast enterprises 236 hickory hill n. Hemphill, TX 75948 (409) 698-6055

Beat the cartell at there own game, join other states in the legalization of cannabis. . Also the tax benefits of such legislation, help minority businesses in our Fair state!

Michael Stapell, M.P.A. EMT-P Self Retired Master Certified Police Officer, Master Certified Firefighter and Licensed Paramedic with a Master's in Public Administration. 9718 Amberley Drive Dallas, TX 75243 (214) 649-9712

This bill is a small step in the right direction. There are no 12 step programs for Cannabis! Why, because it's not addictive. You have done such a lousy job on the Compassionate Use Act, for reasons no one understands other than optics. In its present form it really has been characterized as the Uncompassionate Use Act as it has left out millions from benefiting from it and limited access to the point that the 3 dispensaries cannot profit as they should from this business. The product really needs to be legalized, regulated and taxed. By doing this, the only thing that will change is the cash flow. Taking profits from Cannabis trade out of the hands of cartels south of the border and putting them in the hands of Texas Entrepreneurs and the Texas treasury. You and your laws are not keeping the public from accessing or smoking weed. Keeping Cannabis illegal does nothing more than support cartels (how's that for optics!?). Let’s legalize it and incentivize law enforcement to enforce the tax law on this product. Bootleg marijuana should be impounded tested (by a state lab for safety) then wholesaled to dispensaries for distribution with the state and the impounding agencies sharing in the proceeds. Simultaneously the people of the state will benefit from seizing cartel product and enforce more vigorously the drugs laws that matter because of the harm they cause in addictions, overdoses, and deaths. We still have an opioid problem in this country. Access to Cannabis has been proven

Page 5 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609 to mitigate some of the opioid use and abuse, that reason alone is enough to legalize marijuana. I know the House and Senate are not solely to blame for just how screwed up these laws are. I'm a Republican and I will gladly call out Dan Patrick for his ignorance on this matter. His list of donors includes the alcoholic beverage industry which does stand to lose some market share if the right laws are passed in Texas. No one has ever overdosed on and died smoking marijuana, unlike alcohol and opioids. No one has become addicted to marijuana like those who are addicted to cigarettes; alcohol and prescription pain killers. I'm wondering what side of this issue you would be on if it was 1933 and you were voting to end prohibition. End the hypocrisy! Do it in this session, before we are surrounded by legal Marijuana at all our borders and we lose out on major corporate headquarters and the employment and prosperity it would bring. You are all supporting cartels by keeping Marijuana an illegal product. I feel how this products gets legalized is as important as when! We need to learn from the stupidity of California when allows illegal dispensaries to pop up daily with their only penalty remedy is a $1,500 fine when caught. We must have a law that calls for seizure of all bootleg Cannabis. Once it has been seized it would be wise to not just destroy it, but to profit from it. I believe its good government to resell this product and allow the citizens to benefit.

James Childs self 4411 Regal Oaks Dr College Station, TX 77845 (979) 777-7082

Our family buried our healthy 19-year-old son in December 2018. He had started using marijuana at age 14. Five years of cannabis use destroyed David's mental health and caused the psychosis that caused him to put a gun to his beautiful head and pull the trigger. Marijuana advocates are well funded and are seeing success in many states. They and their supporters are ignoring the existing knowledge of mental health dangers related to the drug. Our family is just one of the many casualties. Marijuana kills! It killed my son! My family will never escape the tremendous loss, but we hope that by telling his story we can help legislators understand that marijuana is far from harmless. I beg you to stop the madness and prevent any legalization of this drug. James N. Childs, M.D.

Jeremy Whittaker, Mr Self. Retired Army 3210 Piedmont Drive El Paso, TX 79902 (757) 298-0229

SUPPORT. Prior to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, hemp was legally produced in America. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 does not distinguish between industrial hemp and the form of Cannabis used for smoking. Many other countries produce and consume legal cannabis products. As the trend by State is to legalize medicinal Cannabis, I see no reason not to follow suit in Texas, thereby decriminalizing possession and use of said items. It would also be prudent to support amendment of the Federal laws prohibiting production of industrial hemp. Legalize it, tax it, and be done with it.

Jorge Longoria Innovation Compassionate Care LLC 5821 Winell Dr Garland, TX 75043 (972) 365-1693

I support this bill.

Louis Guizar

Page 6 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

Self 515 East Harrisburg Odessa, TX 79766 (432) 888-1239

I support this bill, I think this is a positive bill that will bring change to lots of small towns that suffer from money problems.

Enrique Ramirez Self 13227 WCR124 Odessa, TX 79765 (432) 212-1549

I support this bill. 100 percent

Priscilla Guizar Self 515 E harrisburg Odessa, TX 79766 (432) 385-6756

I support this bill.

Tyler Overturf Self 510 fm 223 Shepherd, TX 77371 (903) 267-0788

I support this bill wenceslao garza, Mr. myself 563; guayava ln BROWNSVILLE, TX 78521 (956) 572-2731 i support this bill

Judith Hubbard Normal 11218 State Highway 59 N Montague, TX 76251 (940) 224-5252

Marijuana should be legal in every single state it has so many benefits medical recreational needs to be legal

Page 7 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

Aubree Adams Citizens For A Safe Healthy Texas 4848 Pin Oak Park Dr Apt 228; 228 Bellaire, TX 77081 (719) 250-5740

Dear Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Member,

Please opposed bills HB 1609 to stop the expansion of marijuana in Texas, and decrease the burdens on taxpayers, families, and children for the following reason:

* Marijuana is the main drug, by far, used by preparators in childhood deaths from neglect and abuse in the state of Texas. page 21. https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/About_DFPS/Reports_and_Presentations/PEI/documents/2019/2019-03- 01_FY2018_Child_Fatality_and_Near_Fatality_Annual_Report.pdf

*Currently the Texas Hemp industry is working closely with the Colorado Hemp industry and finding loopholes in the laws, as explained in this New York Times article. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/27/health/marijuana-hemp-delta-8-thc.html They are now producing the chemical Delt-8 THC to sell in smoke shops and promote to our children. Please listen to Will, an 18-year-old in recovery, who lives in Houston describe how he got just as high and just as paranoid from Delt-8 THC as he did from Delta-9 THC (the addictive chemicals from the marijuana/cannabis plant). Will's video listen at 9:30 to 16.:55. https://youtu.be/AgqMiZ_hEUU

* A 28-year-old mother and her 3 young children were killed by a driver who was stopped 20 minutes prior to the crash with marijuana in his car. He is currently being charged with three counts of Intoxication Manslaughter and one count of Intoxication Assualt. If marijuana wasn't decriminalized in Harris county, this mother and 3 children may still be alive. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mother-three-kids-killed-texas-dui-crash-shortly-after-suspect-n1261218

With more marijuana users in Texas, there will be more fatalities on our roads. Here's the data from other states.https://everybrainmatters.org/science/marijuana-dui/

Loosening laws on marijuana is a slippery slope and opens a pathway to full legalization of marijuana and other drugs. This is a clear danger to public health and safety, which will increase costs to taxpayers, and most importantly, puts public health and safety at a greater risk.

Please Hold The Line and keep marijuana messes from expanding in Texas. Testing for THC levels will cost the taxpayers greatly and grow our government.

Thank you for your service and time,

Aubree Adams Director of Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Texas https://www.safehealthytexas.org/

Phillip Ochoa self, retail worker 8006 Colony Loop Drive Austin, TX 78724 (512) 680-0480

Page 8 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

Attention Members of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee:

My name is Phillip Ochoa. I have been involved in local politics and I have seen the changes done at the local level for law change. I have also testified in the past for penalty reductions for Marijuana offenses. These penalty reductions are the most pragmatic approach towards our current status quo on Marijuana policy in Texas. A Majority of Texans agree that our current statewide laws are outdated and are a relic of the failed War on Drugs and Tough on Crime mentality. Our current policies needlessly waste money on jailing and prosecution for these low level possession charges for defendants. The money could be well spent when it is directed towards more serious crimes. Some counties in Texas are taking the lead in penalty reductions for Marijuana because they know it is a waste to continue to prosecute. But this strategy doesn’t extend to the over 200 other counties in Texas who still prosecute. Many Texans have been treated unfairly due to current penalties for minor possession offenses, usually under two ounces. Because of the current drug laws in Texas, these arrests and possible convictions hurt the citizens and makes it harder for them to gain access to a variety of different opportunities such as higher education, housing, and jobs. These obstacles can be minimized through State action on penalty reduction bills and can provide citizens with the opportunity to avoid the criminal justice system for minor possession offenses. The reduced penalties would additionally allow police officers, prosecutors, judges and jurors to redirect taxpayer resources towards more severe offenses. Your support of these bills is appreciated. Regards,

Phillip Ochoa rich overath Self/retired medical equipment service engineer 409 Elmview Drive Hurst, TX 76053 (817) 268-0287

Please decriminalize/legalize marijuana for self consumption while limiting quantities to 2 ounces. I have irritable bowel syndrome and this plant, not a drug relieves any pain I experienced from the chronic pain compounded by hemorrhoids. The income generated by taxes as well as new employment for Texans at a time when the state desperately needs infrastructure improvement and new industries. The relief to our law enforcement in both time and facilities will allow focus on true criminal activity.

Thanks for your serious consideration of this issue as well as the time you give to a better Texas.

Crissy Ellis Texas normal 1455 aloha street Vidor, TX 77662 (409) 237-8889

I support this legislation. Thank you for your consideration and service.

Shawna Hower Self/Owner 355 Pine St. Crockett, TX 75835 (936) 229-8402

Page 9 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

I'm a cancer patient & I am supporting this bill HB 1609, I also had a grandmother & 2 aunts battle cancer with the aid of CBD/THC. I'm proud to be a Texan but it's so sad we feel we must move to another state to fight the cancer battle. Texas is way too far behind other states & their Marijuana prohibition.

Jeff LeBlanc, Chairman Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas 124 County Road 4017 Dayton, TX 77535 (337) 519-7510

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas supports this bill. Thank you for your time and service

Katharine Harris Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University 1607 W Clay St Houston, TX 77019 (757) 377-1171

I am writing to express my support for HB 1609, which would reduce the penalty for possessing 4 oz or less of marijuana to a civil penalty.

On March 14, Marvin David Scott III died while in custody at the Collin County Jail. The Allen Police Department reported that Mr. Scott was first taken to a hospital, and when he was released, was arrested on marijuana charges, for possession of what apparently was a single joint. As a Black man, Mr. Scott was at a heightened risk for being arrested for marijuana possession and dying in law enforcement custody. Had Texas reduced the penalty for marijuana possession back in 2019, Mr. Scott might still be alive.

Sixteen states, not counting those that have gone the route of full legalization, have made marijuana possession a fine-only offense, a reform that 77 percent of Texans support. Marijuana arrests in Texas have already declined significantly over the last year, due in part to the pandemic and the legalization of hemp in 2019. These developments have not impacted public safety— though murder rates spiked across the U.S. in 2020, the overall crime rate has dropped. These trends are a national phenomenon, not explained by local policy changes.

The knowledge that marijuana decriminalization can be implemented safely enhances its urgency; even with the decline in prosecutions, nearly 30,000 Texans were charged with marijuana possession in FY 2020, an occurrence that is largely a function of one’s race, class, and, increasingly, geography.

HB 1609’s creation of a civil penalty for low-level marijuana possession is the only way to ensure that individuals who possess marijuana for personal use do not receive a criminal record or experience other excessive consequences.

Reducing the penalty for marijuana to a Class C misdemeanor, as several bills considered today (April 6) would do, is an improvement over current policy but remains insufficient. A Class C misdemeanor conviction carries all of the collateral consequences of other drug convictions, including loss of access to public housing, student financial aid, and certain areas of employment. Because individuals charged with Class C offenses are not provided with counsel, they might simply pay the ticket associated with the offense, not realizing that doing so results in a permanent conviction and criminal record.

A Class C misdemeanor may widen the net involving people in the justice system. The ease of issuing Class C citations may incentivize officers to do so. Class C citations also generate revenue for localities, creating an economic motive to pursue them. Individuals are also still jailed for Class C offenses; this is currently one of the largest offense categories for which Texans are

Page 10 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609 arrested and taken to jail.

For these reasons, I strongly urge the committee to support HB 1609 as the most comprehensive and effective option for reducing the penalty for marijuana possession.

Daryoush Zamhariri Self 5700 North Beach Street Haltom City, TX 76137 (940) 594-1556

Please support this bill

PAUL ALLARD Norml 6900 Shelia ln briaroaks, TX 76028 (817) 454-2763

Please vote yes

Ariane Williams, RN self 3914 Rolling Hill Round Rock, TX 78681 (409) 749-0500

I support this legislation. Thank you for your consideration and service!

Spencer Williams self 3914 Rolling Hill Round Rock, TX 78681 (409) 553-9620

I support this legislation. Thank you for your consideration and service!

Gary Williams self 101 Greenleaf Lumberton, TX 77657 (409) 755-6627

I support this legislation. Thank you for your consideration and service!

William Martin, MR Drug Policy Program, Rice University's Baker Institute

Page 11 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

2929 BUFFALO SPDWY UNIT 1201 HOUSTON, TX 77098 (713) 574-0585

I write to express my support for HB 1609, authored by Rep. Crockett, which would make the penalty for marijuana possession a civil offense, ensuring that individuals who possess marijuana for personal use do not receive a criminal record or experience other excessive consequences.

My colleague Dr. Katharine Neill Harris, the Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in the Drug Policy Program in Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, has submitted a substantial comment favoring this bill. I fully concur with her stated reasons for supporting the bill and share her view that HB 1609 is “the most comprehensive and effective option for reducing the penalty for marijuana possession.”

Respectfully submitted, William Martin, Ph.D., Director Drug Policy Program, Baker Institute

David Bass, Major, US Army, Retired Self, US Army Retired Dr 5006 Velma Killeen, TX 765423887 (254) 319-3673

I support this bill. I use cannabis as medicine for chronic pain from injuries in the Army and for PTSD. I use 1 1/2 oz of cannabis flower ea month. I use 1/2 gram in my Pax portable vaporizer three times ea day instead of pills. At any given time I possess 2-4 oz. This bill lessens my hazard of arrest for cannabis medicine that my life and health depends on.

Canuto Tarango Christianity 2109 w 5th St Odessa, TX 79763 (432) 880-4010

To say that any amount of Cannabis is criminal is going against the teachings of Christ.

Mark 7:18 And he saith unto them,Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot* defile him;

Jennifer Doody self 4500 Raintree Ct FORT WORTH, TX 76103 (817) 470-7689

I support this legislation. I have personally witnessed the valuable benefits of cannabis. I have a relative who is suffering terribly. Misdiagnosis by the doctor. Surgery that did not work. Medication that helps very little. This person has NO other medical options! Using cannabis has been the only medication that has worked to keep this person from being sick 24/7. But it's illegal in Texas! So this person cannot live here. I have known people who have truly been helped by this plant. Don't believe the lies by Big Pharma and Big Alcohol or the uniformed. Make cannabis available in Texas! The people of Texas deserve the freedom to use the medicine that works for them! Freedom of choice! Thank you.

Page 12 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

Phillip Palmer Self 4017 SANGUINET CT FORT WORTH, TX 76107 (817) 903-5320

Submitted to The House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

Thank you for considering the following testimony, as well as for the consideration of these important bills.

Representing myself, I am registering in favor of the following bills being considered by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, Chaired by Chair , and comprised of The Honorable Members Rep. , Rep. Jeff Cason, Rep. David Cook, Rep. , Rep. , Rep. , Rep. Andrew S. Murr, and Rep. .

HB 99, 169, 441, 439, 498, 1178, 1609, 2593

I am in favor of the current efforts to reduce criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of cannabis. I believe that drug use, while bad, is not a criminal problem. One need only look at the outcomes, both intended and unintended, of the "war on drugs" to understand clearly that current methods are not working. The Texas Constitution states that "all free governments are formed by the consent of the people, and are formed for their benefit." It does not benefit the people to cripple them fiancially for victimless behavior, through arrest, the towing and impounding of their vehicles, costing them their jobs, etc. I would submit that a government that does these things to its people does not truly care about the people its representatives frequently claim to care about.

I am a longtime Republican voter and conservative activist, and as such always intend to advocate for limited government. This includes reducing the amount of encroachment into the lives of peope by the government in matters of individual responsibility.

Opinions on the societal problem of drug abuse and how to help people overcome their addictions have changed a great deal in the last ten years or so. I count myself as a forward thinking and compassionate person when it comes to challenges being faced by my fellow man, and am proud of the absolutely brave work that many of you have done to advance true reform in criminal justice as it relates to drugs.

We must ask whether or not we are truly winning the war on drugs. It could easily be argued that this more of a war against the people, keeping them impoverished and forever damned with a blemished record, affecting the trajectory of their lives, in many cases permanently. It is time for progress. I urge members to pass these solid bills out of committee and get them to the floor for a vote.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Joe Palmer Fort Worth

Heather Fazio Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy 10015 Lake Creek Parkway #116 Austin, TX 78729 (512) 825-9142

I support this legislation. Thank you for your leadership!

Joseph Ortiz

Page 13 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

“Self” business owner 1511 Lake Grayson Drive Katy, TX 77494 (832) 491-9664

I am a constituent of Texas’s 22nd district in Fort Bend County. I am a small business owner and a BIG supporter of the legalization of marijuana. Too many Texans are imprisoned for non-violent, victimless crimes for a flower. The criminalization of marijuana leads to other things than individual arbitrary incarceration. The war on drugs is the root of the majority of our gun violence and illegal immigration. Decriminalizing marijuana will significantly reduce the crisis we have at our boarder and make our streets safer. It’s time to advance with the times. We MUST approach this as we did prohibition. Treat this no different than alcohol.

JESSE Williams Self Retired Military 10704 Pinkney Ln Austin, TX 78739 (843) 298-4264

We have a grave issue on our hands in this state with the status of low level marijuana possession.

We've watched as an individual having a possible mental health crisis, Marvin Scott, died in custody of the state because a marijuana joint was found next to him.

I'll be willing to take the angle that prohibitionists will take at times, that it's a dangerous addictive drug. So why aren't we taking the course of where one gets medical attention instead of a jail sentence? Would that not serve our citizens and state better than the current program?

As a veteran that has worked with other veterans such as the ones that have testified, not one of them deserves to be a possible Marvin Scott. No civilian deserves that either.

This record ruins lives after the fact as well. What teenager deserves to be told they can't serve their country over a mistake? Everybody makes a mistake of who they associated with at some point. It's how we learn.

Veterans still run a risk of being labeled a cannabis abuser when filing for an increase in their service connection percentage.

And finally with all the great bills that are a step forward for resolving these issues in Texas, we must recognize that it's not just writing a great bill that gets things done in politics. I believe that Representative Toth’s bill will be the likely bill that can overcome the obstacles this needed step ran into last time. Not just because of its content, but also from who the bill is coming from. This committee and the authors working together will be more than the sum of all their parts.

James Peinado El Paso Republican Liberty Caucus 6728 Camino Fuente Dr El Paso, TX 79912 (915) 703-0492

We support HB 1609

When it comes to cannabis penalty reduction, the RLCTX has always believed minor possession of cannabis should not result in jail time, but a fine only. Most of these cases result in non violent, and otherwise law abiding citizens, clogging up court dockets and jails unnecessarily.

Page 14 of 15 COMMENTS FOR: HB 1609

Please vote it out of committee and on towards final passage!

Thank you for reading.

WILLIAM TOOLEY Self US Army combat veteran 1206 Chaucer Lane Harker Heights, TX 76548 (254) 258-6452

“I support this legislation. Thank you for your consideration and service!”

David Harte, SFC (Retired) Self 101 Quail Run Brownwood, TX 76801 (254) 231-5189

Please consider making marijuana legal for medicinal uses. Many veterans like myself have severe sleep issues and depression issues. Studies have shown that marijuana can be helpful in relieving some of these issues, which can be related to PTSD, traumatic brain injuries from IEDs and from combat. Thank you.

Jeffrey Clemmons Austin College Student Commission, Huston-Tillotson NAACP, Texas Rising 1300 CROSSING PL; Apt 1713 AUSTIN, TX 78741 (214) 244-6058

I hope that the committee will not only pass this bill, but that they will consider it in combination with HB441, which would mean that the possession of 4oz or less of marijuana flower would be considered as nothing more than a Class C misdemeanor. This reduces the likelihood that law enforcement across the state of Texas will use marijuana as an excuse to pull over or detain someone, increasing the safety of our citizens and preventing the waste of state resources that would be better used to solve statewide issues such as human trafficking. Texas is far behind the curve on the "green new deal," as it were, of states across the country legalizing and decriminalizing the possession and use of marijuana in favor of a safe, regulated market that provides Texans with the opportunity to serve as business owners and conscious consumers. With this bill, we will be preventing the wanton conviction of otherwise innocent Texans and empowering them to exercise their bodily autonomy, freedom of consciousness, and have faith that our government is continuing to progress with the times. I strongly urge the committee to pass this excellent bill by Representative Crockett.

Tyler Prock "self" accountant 2302 Idlewood Drive Tyler, TX 75701 (214) 546-0335

I support this bill, no one needs to be arrested for ownership of any plants.

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