================================================== ====================
Please distribute this memo widely. Forward it to family and friends
in Texas, or ask them to visit http://www.mpp.org/TX today.
================================================== ====================

TO: Texas residents*

FROM: Michael McKey, MPP legislative analyst

DATE: Monday, February 7, 2005

SUBJECT: Marijuana policy reform alive in Texas this session

================================================== ====================

On January 28, Reps. Terry Keel (R-Austin) and Elliot Naishtat
(D-Austin) took a compassionate stand and introduced H.B. 658, which
would provide an affirmative defense for medical marijuana patients in
Texas. If passed, the bipartisan-supported H.B. 658 would allow
patients to prove to a jury that their use was medically necessary and
doctor recommended -- which they are currently prohibited from doing
-- and thereby escape punishment for using their medicine. Please urge
your representatives to support this bill:

http://mpp.org/TX/action.html

If you've never used our system to send letters to your legislators,
you'll be surprised at how quick and easy it is. Further, if you are a
medical marijuana patient, or if you know a patient, doctor, or nurse
who would like to help with the cause, please e-mail [email protected]
today.

In support of H.B. 658, MPP-grant recipient Texans for Medical
Marijuana (TMM) -- a prime mover behind this legislation -- is
sponsoring a "Lobby Day" on Thursday, February 17, in Austin. Join TMM
and let your legislators see the support for medical marijuana in
Texas. Please visit
http://www.texansformedicalmarijuana...byDayFlyer.pdf for
event details.

If you have not confirmed your attendance, please e-mail
[email protected] or call 512-589-1086 to let TMM
know that you are coming.

In another step forward for marijuana policy reform, Rep. Harold
Dutton (D-Houston) introduced H.B. 254, which would spare those
possessing small amounts of marijuana from having to serve jail time.
H.B. 254 would make possession of less than one ounce of marijuana a
Class C misdemeanor -- the equivalent of a traffic ticket. Under
current law, possession of less than two ounces of marijuana is a
Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail.

Commenting on H.B. 254, Rep. Dutton stated that Texas has "been tough
on crime for the last decade or so, and now it's time to be a little
bit smart on crime."

http://mpp.org/TX/action.html

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass
this information on to family and friends so that even more voices can
be heard.

================================================== ====================

The Marijuana Policy Project hopes that each of the 155,000
subscribers on our national e-mail list will make at least one
financial donation to MPP's work in 2005. Please visit
http://www.mpp.org/MoneyForStates to donate now.

MPP will be able to tackle all of the projects in its 2005 strategic
plan -- http://www.mpp.org/2005plan -- if you and other allies are
generous enough to fund our work.

================================================== ====================
*If you live outside of Texas, please reply with your city and
state or zip code so that we can send you alerts that are of local
interest to you. You are receiving this e-mail because you
subscribed to MPP's e-mail alerts. To unsubscribe, simply reply with
the word REMOVE in the subject line. Removal may take up to 48 hours.
To contact MPP, please visit http://www.mpp.org/contact or reply to
this e-mail. Our mailing address is MPP, P.O. Box 77492, Capitol
Hill, Washington, D.C. 20013.
pisshead Reviewed by pisshead on . TX RESIDENTS: marijuana policy reform alive in Texas this session ====================================================================== Please distribute this memo widely. Forward it to family and friends in Texas, or ask them to visit http://www.mpp.org/TX today. ====================================================================== TO: Texas residents* FROM: Michael McKey, MPP legislative analyst DATE: Monday, February 7, 2005 Rating: 5