How to get legal weed in Texas
The short answer is: you can’t.
Possession of marijuana is still illegal in Texas, and the penalties can be quite severe. If you’re caught with even a small amount of pot, you could be facing up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. And if you’re caught selling or manufacturing marijuana, you could be facing up to life in prison.
So why are people still asking how to get legal weed in Texas?
The simple answer is that the laws surrounding marijuana are changing rapidly, both at the state and federal level. In just the past few years, a number of states have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational use. And while Texas has not yet taken this step, there is a growing movement in support of legalization.
In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law allowing the use of medical marijuana for certain patients with intractable epilepsy. And in 2017, lawmakers approved a measure that would reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of pot.
However, both of these laws are very limited in scope, and they do not make marijuana legal in Texas. For now, the best way to support the legalization of marijuana in Texas is to contact your state representatives and let them know your views on the issue.
The process of getting legal weed in Texas
In Texas, possession of small amounts of marijuana is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. However, lawmakers have been working to change the state’s stance on cannabis in recent years.
In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law reducing the penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Under the new law, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
In 2017, lawmakers passed a law expanding the state’s medical marijuana program. The new law allows patients with certain medical conditions to use low-THC cannabis products.
And in 2019, lawmakers passed a bill decriminalizing hemp and CBD products. Under the new law, possession of small amounts of hemp and CBD products is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
So, while possession of small amounts of marijuana is still technically a crime in Texas, the state is becoming more and more lenient when it comes to cannabis.
The benefits of getting legal weed in Texas
The push to legalize marijuana in Texas has been gaining momentum in recent years, with a growing number of lawmakers voicing their support for reform. While the state currently has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the country, there is a growing movement to change that. Here are three potential benefits of legalizing weed in Texas.
1. Increased tax revenue.
If marijuana was legalized in Texas, it would be subject to state and local taxes just like any other product. This could generate much-needed revenue for the state, which is currently facing a budget shortfall. According to a report from the Texas comptroller, legalizing marijuana could generate up to $1 billion in tax revenue for the state each year.
2. Reduced crime.
Currently, the illegal sale of marijuana is a major source of income for criminal gangs. If marijuana was legalized, there would be no need for the black market and the associated violence. In addition, legalizing marijuana would free up law enforcement resources that are currently being used to enforce cannabis laws.
3. Improved public health.
Legalizing marijuana would allow the state to regulate the production and sale of cannabis, ensuring that it is produced safely and without harmful chemicals. In addition, legal weed would be subject to quality control, meaning that consumers would know exactly what they are buying. This would be a major improvement over the current situation, where the quality of illegal marijuana can vary widely.
The drawbacks of getting legal weed in Texas
The drawbacks of getting legal weed in Texas are:
1. There is currently no legal way to obtain marijuana in Texas.
2. Even if you are able to obtain marijuana through illegal means, it is still illegal to possess and use marijuana in Texas.
3. Possessing even a small amount of marijuana can result in a misdemeanor charge, which can lead to up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
4. If you are caught selling or distributing marijuana, you could be facing felony charges, which can result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
5. If you are caught driving while under the influence of marijuana, you could be facing DUI charges, which can result in up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
The current state of Texas law on cannabis
The current state of Texas law on cannabis is that it is illegal to possess, use, or grow the plant. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. The first exception is for medical use. If a person has a valid prescription from a doctor, they are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. The second exception is for low-THC cannabis, also known as CBD oil. This type of cannabis has very low levels of THC, the chemical that gets people high. CBD oil is used to treat seizure disorders, and the state of Texas has a program that allows certain patients to use it.
The benefits of legal weed in Texas
The benefits of legal weed in Texas are many and varied. Not only does it provide a much-needed source of income for the state, but it also offers many medical benefits for patients suffering from a wide range of conditions. Here are just a few of the benefits of legal weed in Texas:
1. It can be a significant source of tax revenue.
In Colorado, legal weed generated $247 million in tax revenue in 2016. This money is used to fund schools, roads, and other vital public services. It’s estimated that legal weed could generate up to $1 billion in tax revenue for Texas every year.
2. It can create jobs.
The legal weed industry is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. In Colorado, the industry has already created over 18,000 jobs. With Texas’ much larger population, it’s estimated that the legal weed industry could create tens of thousands of jobs in the Lone Star State.
3. It can help patients with a wide range of medical conditions.
Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states, including Texas. It’s been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, chronic pain, and PTSD.
4. It can reduce crime.
Studies have shown that legal weed can actually reduce crime. In Colorado, the state saw a reduction in crime of over 2% after legal weed was introduced.
5. It can save lives.
Legal weed can help to save lives by reducing the number of traffic fatalities. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that states with legal weed saw a 16% reduction in traffic fatalities.
These are just a few of the benefits of legal weed in Texas. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that more and more Texans are supportive of legal weed.
The drawbacks of legal weed in Texas
The drawbacks of legal weed in Texas are numerous. First and foremost, it is still illegal to possess and use marijuana in Texas. This means that if you are caught with marijuana, you can be arrested and charged with a crime. Additionally, the cost of legal weed can be quite high, especially if you are buying it from a dispensary. Finally, there is always the risk that your weed could be confiscated by the police if they raided your home or business.