The 88th Texas Legislature is set to convene on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at noon. Prefiling of legislation begins November 14, 2022. The 140th and final day of the 88th legislative session, known as “Sine die” is May 29, 2023.
Now is an ideal time to take action to ensure that your representative and senator know about your support for cannabis reform!
Medical Cannabis | Penalty Reduction | Legalization
Submit your testimony to be included in hearing binders. (Coming Soon). Visit Texas NORML’s site to learn more.
Bills for the 88th legislative session in 2023 are currently being filed. The deadline to file a bill is March 10th.
Medical Cannabis Bills
SB 121 by Sen. José Menéndez – Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, delivery, sale, and research of medical cannabis for medical use by patients with certain medical conditions and the licensing of medical cannabis organizations; authorizing fees.
SB 127 by Sen. Carol Alvarado – Relating to the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for use by patients as the best available medical treatment, the licensing of medical cannabis dispensing organizations, and the registration of certain individuals; authorizing fees.
Penalty Reduction Bills
HB 127 by Rep. Terry Canales – Relating to the criminal penalties for possession or delivery of marihuana concentrate.
HB 218 by Rep. Joe Moody – Relating to the criminal and licensing consequences of certain marihuana possession, drug paraphernalia possession, and tetrahydrocannabinol possession offenses; imposing a fee.
HB 382 by Rep. Nicole Collier – Relating to a defense to prosecution for the possession of certain consumable hemp products containing a controlled substance or marihuana.
HB 388 by Rep. Senfronia Thompson – Relating to the criminal penalty for the possession of a small amount of marihuana.
HB 520 by Rep. Gene Wu – Relating to criminal penalties for possession offenses under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
SB 87 by Sen. Nathan Johnson – Relating to the criminal penalties for possession or delivery of marihuana concentrate.
SB 208 by Sen. Sarah Eckhardt – Relating to the criminal penalties for delivery and possession of marihuana and citations given for those offenses.
Legalization Bills
SB 209 by Sen. Sarah Eckhardt – Relating to regulating the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring occupational licenses; creating a criminal offense.
Miscellaneous
HB 513 by Rep. Will Metcalf – Relating to the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance or marihuana causing death or serious bodily injury; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Joint Resolutions
What is a Joint Resolution? A joint resolution is used legislative measure used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution and requires a super majority in both chambers of the legislature to be adopted but does not require action by the governor. Before becoming effective, the provisions of joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution must be approved by the voters of Texas.
SJR 22 by Sen. Sarah Eckhardt – Proposing a constitutional amendment to direct the legislature to authorize and regulate the possession, cultivation, and sale of cannabis.