This past week TCC reported about how the Republican Party of Texas has removed marijuana from its platform. TCC reached out via email to all candidates the Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy voter guide indicated of support. They had either voted in support of cannabis, authored a bill in support, or stated as a new candidate that they are supporting of cannabis. Some of what is posted has been copied directly from the survey itself.
Texas House District 148 Luis LaRotta (R)
Mr. LaRotta showed support across the board in the survey.
Mr. LaRotta stated on the survey, “I’ve long been a supporter for cannabis. I’ve testified as a member of the Republican Liberty Caucus, Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition, Texas Cannabis Coalition, and on behalf of the families who have been afflicted by criminal justice.“
Mr. LaRotta reached back out to TCC about the previous article and how he feels about where to go with the next legislature.
“We’ve gotta push back against that move (by the RPT). The right path forward right now is supporting the medical avenue. We already don’t want bureaucracy between you and the healthcare provider, why do it with cannabis given the other numerous medical benefits we’ve seen? I’m concerned about some of the democrats will deal with the taxes, that keep people from access and drives people back into the black market. Let’s decriminalize and push to remove marijuana from Schedule I,” Mr. Larotta told us.
Texas House District 107 – Samuel Smith (R)
Samuel Smith is supporting it across the board on the voter guide survey. He responded back to TCC vai email with the following statement,
“My stance remains unchanged. The RPT platform had no impact on my response to the survey.“
Texas House District 15 -Steve Toth (R) (Incumbent)
Mr. Toth stated on the survey, “I carried legislation last Session (Class B to Class C) but it never got a vote out of committee. I love Joe Moody but a Republican isn’t going to carry a Democrat’s Bill. They will carry a conservative Republican’s. I need your help next Session. “
Texas House District 54 – Brad Buckley (R) (Incumbent)
Mr. Buckley showed support for everything minus legalizing adult use. Buckley stated, “I’m concerned about data that shows 12-17 yr olds use more marijuana in states that legalize it for adults. This combined with the lack of understanding on how certain cannabinoids impact the developing brain concerns me.“
Texas House District 109 – Dr. Eugene Allen (R)
Dr. Allen showed support across the board and stated in the survey, “I believe in choice.”
Texas House District 117 Carlos Antonio Raymond (R)
Mr. Raymond showed support for everything except reducing penalties for possession, which really isn’t necessary if you’re in favor of legalizing adult-use as well. Raymond stated on the survey, “…less than one ounce of marijuana can be arrested and given a criminal record, and they face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.00″ I OPPOSED (THE DR. AND FAMILY SHOULD DECIDE)
Texas House District 120 Ronald Payne (R)
Mr. Payne showed support across the board on the survey and stated,
“I subscribe to the Libertarian Philosophy of Personal Sovereignty to consume intoxicating substances and a Conservative Ideology that provides 100% responsibility/liability for criminality committed while under voluntary intoxication.“