May 31, 2021
HB 1535 (Klick et al) was amended and passed by the House and Senate before midnight on May 30, 2021.
87th Legislative Report 2021
Despite the passage of only one bill related to Drug Laws and Policies, legislative support continues as reflected by the number of bills related to medical use and penalty reduction for possession of small amount of cannabis.
HB 1535 passed May 30,2021, was sent to the governor and is signed into law. The bill had considerable support from many coauthors in the House and Senate. The bill expands the compassionate use of low-THC cannabis from .5 percent to one percent. There is a provision to establish and approve Institutional Review Board (IRB) to conduct research studies to evaluate and approve use of low-THC in treating epilepsy, cancer, seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, autism, incurable neurodegenerative disease and post-traumatic disorder. The research program must be affiliated with a medical school and accredited by the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs. Other bills related to medical use of cannabis were SB90,SB327,SB250, HB809,HB1109 and HB1101, assigned to committee failed to receive a hearing.
Other medical bills, supported by LWV-TX, were SB 90,SB 27, SB327,SB 250, HB94 HB809, HB1109 and HB1101, assigned to committee, failed to receive a hearing.
Though there was strong support for legislation, by the House and Senate to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis all failed passage. HB 441 received a hearing and was voted favorably by the House Jurisprudence Committee, cleared the House, and was sent to the Senate. The bill was not assigned to a Senate Committee, missing the deadline for a vote. HB3772 was voted favorably out of committee missing the calendar vote to be sent to the Senate. Other bills filed were HB169, HB498, HB585, HB616,failed to receive a hearing.
Heather Ffazio, Political Director, Marijuana Policy Project, an affiliate to LWV-TX, provided Information and assistance in tracking bills that were filed and moving through the legislative process related to cannabis for medical use and penalty reduction bills for possession of small amounts of cannabis.