Among the many groups of individuals who show the true diversity of the cannabis advocacy scene in Texas, many of our nation’s heroes involved in the community have become both medical success stories and dedicated cannabis advocates. Veterans from all branches with a variety of conditions that only cannabis can truly assist in treatment are living proof that cannabis patients are far beyond your Cheech and Chong-esque stereotype.
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However, to this day, proud veteran cannabis advocates in Texas are still being either put on the back burner by the Legislature or outright ignored. To receive an update on the status of veteran-related cannabis matters, Texas Cannabis Collective has the pleasure of once again speaking with Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana Founder David Bass.
As we previously mentioned during the 2019 Texas Legislature session post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was left out of the list of qualifying conditions for House Bill 3703’s expanded state-run CBD oil program.
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In our discussion, Bass provided several prime examples of the very evident support behind cannabis reform in Texas. He mentioned that both House Bills 63 and 1365 passed out of the Texas House of Representatives with a majority at minimum and the diversity of the many cannabis advocacy communities and the results from certain political surveys are further solid proof that the support for cannabis reform is equally as present among Texans. Bass also stressed the importance of The Texas Republican Party’s policy platform from the previous year’s convention, which included support for decriminalization of small amounts and medical expansion.
Yet in a surprise to no one who follows Texas politics in the slightest, one former radio show host turned lieutenant governor stands in the way. Lieutenant Governor and “Man Who Thinks D.A.R.E Was An Effective Program” Dan Patrick is notorious in his onslaught against cannabis, famously tweeting that no cannabis reform would occur in Texas and unfortunately using his scheduling abilities in the Texas Senate to disallow cannabis bills passed in the House to be heard in a timely manner, resulting in their legislative murder.
According to Bass, the removal of Lt. Governor Patrick from office would be monumental in cannabis-related bills’ survival in the Senate, removing a crucial road block in the process.
As for the recent signing of House Bill 1325 by Governor Abbott, Bass informed that the legalization of CBD-only products isn’t as beneficial towards veterans and their proper treatments as one would think.
“The veterans I know who are having any positive effect using CBD-only products instead of cannabis are taking huge amounts tell me that it has a marginal positive effect on PTSD and chronic pain.” Bass said. “Low THC, CBD products are not going to help a majority of our veterans that deal with chronic pain and PTSD.”
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On a more positive note, Bass spoke swimmingly about the happenings of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy’s recent conference in Austin. Bass and his organization had a booth at the conference, where they met and connected with many fellow veterans and a few notable veteran advocates were even featured in a story from Spectrum News Austin.
“We had over ten veterans who were featured speakers, so veterans were definitely in the spotlight. They discussed all kinds of issues, PTSD, chronic pain, 2nd Amendment rights issues for medical patients, hemp and CBD products.” Bass described. “I’m proud we played such a big role in the conference.”
In regards to upcoming events and future plans of activism before the 2021 Legislative Session, Bass and TVMM are going to remain busy.
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“Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana will be marching in the New Braunfels Veterans Day Parade on November 9th. We’ll be carrying a banner and show up in force and march in the parade happening in Senator Campbell’s district. We’ll be hosting three veteran medical marijuana seminars. One in New Braunfels, one in Waco for Senator Brian Birdwell’s district, and one last one in Senator Stephanie Klick’s district.”
All three mentioned state senators were fierce against the expansion of cannabis reform and fought tirelessly on almost pointless language on expanding the state-run “medical cannabis” industry. Senator Birdwell also famously claimed that the murders of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle and his fellow veteran Chad Littlefield by the hands of Eddie Ray Routh was caused by Routh being a “multi-year marijuana user” and not a lengthy history of mental health issues.
In the upcoming months leading into the 2021 Session, Bass plans on keeping the discussion of cannabis reform alive by hosting a statewide conference in October 2020. Although, no specifics were given as to the location of 2020 state-wide cannabis reform convention, it’ll undoubtedly show the financial and job creation benefits of a legalized industry and the many faces behind the advocacy movement.