Tejas Smokers: A note from Willie Nelson.

For over 30 years, I have been a supporter of NORML's efforts to end
marijuana prohibition. As someone who has enjoyed marijuana responsibly
for many years, I appreciate that NORML serves as the voice for marijuana
smokers like myself.

Today I am writing you on behalf of NORML with exciting news from my home
state of Texas. Recently, Rep. Harold Dutton (D - Houston) introduced a
bill in the Texas State Legislature to decriminalize the possession of
marijuana for personal use.

This bill recommends that minor marijuana offenders in Texas face a ticket
and a small fine in lieu of criminal arrest and prosecution. This is a
step in the right direction, but it will only receive serious
consideration if our elected officials hear an unmistakable message of
support from their constituents.

Please take two minutes to write your state legislators and tell them how
important it is that they support marijuana decriminalization. NORML has
created pre-written letters that you can send to your legislators by
visiting:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=6847791&type=ST

I have already contacted my state representative and asked for their
support of this bill. Won't you do the same?

As a responsible marijuana smoker myself, I take pride in the fact that
NORML has always spoken for the interests of everyday marijuana smokers.
NORML is working hard in Texas and across the United States to protect
your right to smoke marijuana without fear of arrest or prosecution. Will
you join in me supporting these efforts by donating to NORML today? You
can make a donation, buy a NORML product, or become a NORML member at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3454

I appreciate your efforts to help NORML decriminalize marijuana in Texas.
Please be sure to contact your elected officials today, and tell 'em
Willie sent you!

Best Wishes,

Willie Nelson
NORML Advisory Board


If this were to pass in Texas it would set a precedent of immeasurable proportions across the nation. That, and Willie kicks ass. So, any Texans roaming about back him up! Any non-Texans, well support us Texans, we love the herb just as much as you and we've got big bongs.

 

i don't live in texas, i live in canada, but, my aunt lives in texas, and she smokes sometimes, so im definatly going to give her a call.

 

Sorry good folk for the long post but this is the form letter being sent out:


As your constituent, I urge you to support House Bill 254. If passed,
Texas would reduce penalties for possession of marijuana to a civil
infraction, similar to a traffic ticket. This would ensure that a
person
found in possession of a personal amount of marijuana would not be
subject
to arrest or prosecution and the emotional, social, and financial
hardships that follow.

Otherwise law-abiding citizens who smoke marijuana responsibly are not
part of the crime problem, and we must stop treating them like
criminals.
In 2003, the last year for which we have data, law enforcement arrested
over 755,000 persons for marijuana violations. This total far exceeds
the total number of arrests for all violent crime combined, including
murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Surely, our limited law enforcement resources would be better served
targeting more serious and violent crimes.

Marijuana decriminalization currently enjoys support from the majority
of
Americans. According to the latest CNN/Time Magazine poll on the
subject,
72% of Americans favor a fine over criminal penalties for the
possession
of marijuana.

In these times of fiscal belt-tightening and tight state budgets,
marijuana decriminalization makes good economic sense. For example, a
2002 study conducted by Boston University professor and economist
Jeffrey
Miron found that decriminalizing marijuana would save Massachusetts law
enforcement an estimated $24.3 million.

As such, I urge you to support this marijuana decriminalization bill.
It
is a common sense approach that will refocus law enforcement resources
on
fighting violent crime. Please support H.B. 254 and stop arresting
responsible marijuana smokers

 

Hey sorry kids, didn't mean to drop anything serious on the Pot forums. Continue on with what bong is the best, what bubblegum should I chew when I smoke? etc..

omg, I've got a 1 foot bong, but I want a two foot bong omg what do I doooooo? omg. oh well. yay pot!

edt: shit, I'm a fescitious sob, but I generally try to leave you kids alone. But wtf? Is the current state really so blank? Raise some damn hell before you're forced into hell.

 

Great thread bro, this forum lacks a sufficient amount of "real issues".
This would be a huge step in the right direction, especially since its in Dubya's Texas.

 

Hey man, I understand your frustration, hopefully everyone here is reading this, especially the Texans. I live in Michigan so I can't send a letter, and I don't know anyone who lives there, except an uncle I haven't seen in about 15 years, and have only met like, twice. But I do notice there are several Texans who visit this forum, so I really hope they get these letters out. I mean, fuck, they make it easy enough, it's a goddam form letter. A couple clicks of the mouse.

 

In canada, there were talks about decriminalization, and i think they let it go through a trial run to see how it turns out. But, if something is on the table, for senate to decide upon, as soon as there is an election, it all gets thrown out, and last year (or the year before..i forget), there was an election so it was thrown out and all possible progress was lost, but, it was brought up again, and hopefully it'll all work out in the end. Does anyone know what decriminalization laws say about growing?

 

I sent the E-mail, but what really bothers me is the Mandatory Minimums placed on recreational herb use. That is why I am fucking GIVING UP on Texas (my birthplace) and moving to N.California.

 

i sent the email. good lookin out on this thread element, thatll be a slap in bush's face if it gets decriminalized in his homestate!

 

I'm gonna send the e-mail, in a moment....by the way, Bush wasn't born in Texas...

 

i know but its still his homestate. i was born in germany but ic all VA my homestate cuz thats where all my friends are and thats where i love. he talks like a texan acts like a texan and claims the texas set as his own so im gonna say that is his homestate. if you want look up on norml.org and it has the number to the whitehouse and call them up and ask them if Texas is W's home state.

 

He was also the Governor of Texas for two consecutive terms. He also has a ranch in Crawford that's quite famous. Most people consider him from Texas.Which as BudBomb and dirtybongwater pointed out, would make a great impact nationwide if this were to go across.

Although it is fun to point out the fact that he wasn't born here to his rabid texan followers. Most of them haven't a clue.

 

i agree. I think that this forum needs to be more politically active. We all love the herb, we should try to do somthing about this prohibition.

 

is writing a direct letter to the congressman the only to support the bill?

 

Willie rocks. he has a big bio-diesel company now. . .
. .. whiskey river dont run dry . .. .

 

I would imagine that there's something in the works towards lobbying teams as well but I haven't heard anything concrete. As far as anyone who isn't from Texas but wants to spread the word, by all means, please pass it around as much as possible. As far as Texans,tell everyone you know, and like the man said, tell em Willie sent you.

 

io knew livin in tx would pay off
im gonna try to find a # and call my state legislature tomorrow