After passing an invoice last week to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana by the Texas House of Representatives, another push for legalization cannabis came from a Democratic legislature.

State Senator Roland Gutierrez (D) on Thursday tabled a cannabis amendment to an independent resolution that would allow Texans to decide whether to end the ban through a voting measure. reported marijuana moment. Because the broader measure, HJR 126, aims to change the state constitution, voter approval is mandatory.

Gutierrez said Thursday that his proposal would give Texans “an opportunity to vote on legalizing the use and production of cannabis.”

However, the measure was overruled by Lt. gov. Dan Patrick (R) dejected, who justified his action by saying Gutierrez’s proposal was not relevant to broader legislation.

Gutierrez had sought to expand a provision of the resolution’s constitutional amendment that gives people the power to farm and cultivate land they own or rent, “including the right to grow cannabis for personal and commercial use.”

House-approved decriminalization measure pending Senate consideration

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether the House-approved marijuana measure tabled by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) will meet the same fate.

If the law goes into effect, adults over the age of 21 can legally possess and transport up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 12 cannabis plants on their property.

The legislation reduces penalties for other marijuana crimes, such as possession of 1 to 2 ounces, to a Class B misdemeanor not subject to arrest. Possession of two to four ounces would be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor.

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