Access to Medical Cannabis Expands in Texas
US State Approves Better Access to Medical Cannabis for PTSD, Cancer Patients – LPC
Perhaps one of the strongest signs that cannabis legalization is inevitable in the United States is when one of its most conservative states expands access to medical cannabis. A new law allowed Texas one step forward on Wednesday, September 1 allows PTSD and cancer patients to legally use cannabis to treat symptoms. (Ironically, on the same day, the state took one step backwards in women’s health by banning most abortions…)
The move towards better access to medical cannabis is an expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
“We know that people can benefit from this medicine. We see it happening all across the country and that’s why there is such a huge movement for reform,” said Heather Fazio, leader of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy.
“We have a long way to go for an adequate medical (cannabis) program. But for now, what we have in Texas is something that’s going to help millions of people potentially, whether they are suffering from cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, autism, so many conditions we know that cannabis can benefit,” Fazio said.
The new law also doubles the legal potency of cannabis for compassionate use. Still, according to the Fox 26 Houston article, that’s still “significantly lower” than the amount allow in some other states.
The article also points to 60 per cent of Texans in favour of fully legalizing cannabis, based on a June 2021 poll.
Better Access to Medical Cannabis is Not Enough – LPC
However, better access to medical cannabis is not enough. There is still significant cannabis stigma, especially in the southern US states. Rolling Stone recently called out Fox News for broadcasting misinformation including “cannabis psychosis” claims. The expected leadership from the US federal government on cannabis reform seems to be stalled. Indeed, Biden’s cannabis policy is still not clear. He is largely seen as taking advantage of COVID and Afghanistan to backburner any real debate.
But it’s a tug of war. At other levels of government, things are moving a little more quickly. Senator Chuck Schumer’s bid to at least decriminalize cannabis seems more likely in the short-term than full legalization. Another encouraging sign: Virginia legalized cannabis as of July 1, 2021.
As we’ve seen from the Canadian experience, access to medical cannabis is a politically acceptable way to introduce full legalization. Few can argue that those suffering should be denied any medications that take away their pain.
Besides, as Fazio said: “The sky certainly hasn’t fallen in the 18 states that have rejected prohibition and instead adopted a system of regulation.”
The sky hasn’t fallen in Canada, either. In fact, Canada’s cannabis experiment is mostly a success. If increasing access to medical cannabis will lead the world to a realization that cannabis legalization is the way to go, we’re all for it.
Read the Full Story on the Fox 26 Houston Site
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