Table of Contents
The success of marijuana legislation in different states in America such as Colorado means Texas has the potential of doing the same. It means numerous advantages and disadvantages exist for the state considering the existing jurisprudence. First, Texas stands to enjoy medical benefits for its citizens like Colorado has witnessed before. In other words, treatment of different diseases will become easier and form replacements essential in boosting medication. Second, it will assist in the full implementation of the law. This is through police officers have the opportunity to focus on other crimes instead of arresting suspects caught consuming or in possession of cannabis (Gerber 156). Third, entails an increase in taxation income for state particularly when it wants to meet its various economic needs. Rejuvenating the economy is a fundamental step because high profitability will motivate the available human capital in Texas.
Approving a law like Colorado’s for Texas implies that dealing with weed will be safer essentially in regards to handling and regulation. Consequently, dealers with the tendency to mix weed with toxic substances will lose market and face a jail term if the state legalizes the drug. Contrastingly, selling of weed in different parts of Texas will equally become easier to both big enterprises and individuals resulting to law abiding citizens. Another reason for imitating Colorado will be to sanitize the trade and drive out cartels and gangs that engage in criminal activities notably murder (Jilson 198). In brief, Texas has the chance to remove marijuana from bad people through a legislation supported by government and citizens.
Unfortunately, other disadvantages also abound that would affect Texas in varying crucial ways worthy of note. First, the state has the risk of increasing its cases of psychotic illnesses often caused by a molecule found in weed plant. Experts concur that it has the danger of causing transient or acute psychosis to its users. Second, cases of school dropout rates will spiral exponentially resulting to reduced learning outcomes and lower achievement. Such a legislation will imply that chronic marijuana use will increase amongst students within the state thus affecting their IQ growth and cognitive abilities. Accordingly, reduction of life satisfaction through a deterioration in health often manifested in form of withdrawal symptoms puts Texas at the same danger as Colorado (Richardson & Pisani 298). Third, legislation has been linked to an increase in immigration. Mexicans and their associate cartels and gangs have usually exploited the law to export their criminal acts to America. It means this has devastating consequences for Texas that is struggling to combat both violence and crime.
Fourth would comprise anti-social behavior that is often characteristic habitual marijuana users as reported in states such as Colorado. This is usually triggered by powerful chemical compounds called cannabinoids that affect the part of human brain tasked with social activities and daily interactions. Therefore, to avoid such a blunder, Texas through its federal laws should criminalize the drug with exceptions advised by health practitioners (Jilson 345). Tight regulations should equally accompany such a directive to ensure it remains a model state of balanced marijuana use.
Tracking Update
- H.B. 1070 by Jadestone – advised the House Committee on Medicinal purposes, 1/3/2017
- H.R. 11 by Oliverstone – made special reference to Senate Committee on Federal Activities, 2/12/2017
- S.B. 8 by Workman – Scheduled a meeting with Senate Committee, 2/17/2017
- H.B. 544 by James –Scheduled special Public Inquest (Health Committee), 1/23/2017
- H.B. by Mary – Filed 5/13/2017
- Gerber, Rudolph. Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics. Belmont, MA: SAGE. 2014. Print.
- Jilson, Cal. Texas Governing the Politics: Lone Star State. New York, NY: Springer. 2015. Print.
- Richardson, Chard & Pisani, Michael. The Informal and Underground Economy of the South Texas Border. Mason, OH: SAGE. 2012. Print