jct74
03-27-2019, 09:55 AM
Police groups decry Texas push for marijuana decriminalization
By Taylor Goldenstein
March 26, 2019
Two major Texas law enforcement groups on Tuesday decried pending legislation to loosen marijuana laws as the beginning of a “slippery slope” into full legalization of the drug.
“The blueprint for the proponents of marijuana legalization is clear and has been effectively used in other states,” Grand Prairie Police Chief Scott Dye said. “This is a calculated and systematic approach by a minority of our population who use marijuana and/or stand to gain from marijuana production.”
Dye and other law enforcement officials representing the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas said legalization would bring increased crime, entice a dangerous black market and lead to increased use of other, more addictive drugs.
The groups urged the Texas Legislature not to lower criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, which is now punishable by up to six months in jail. The groups also oppose expanding the state’s restrictive medical marijuana program until “validated, peer-reviewed medical research shows a proven medical benefit.”
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read more:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Police-groups-decry-Texas-push-for-marijuana-13718810.php
By Taylor Goldenstein
March 26, 2019
Two major Texas law enforcement groups on Tuesday decried pending legislation to loosen marijuana laws as the beginning of a “slippery slope” into full legalization of the drug.
“The blueprint for the proponents of marijuana legalization is clear and has been effectively used in other states,” Grand Prairie Police Chief Scott Dye said. “This is a calculated and systematic approach by a minority of our population who use marijuana and/or stand to gain from marijuana production.”
Dye and other law enforcement officials representing the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas said legalization would bring increased crime, entice a dangerous black market and lead to increased use of other, more addictive drugs.
The groups urged the Texas Legislature not to lower criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, which is now punishable by up to six months in jail. The groups also oppose expanding the state’s restrictive medical marijuana program until “validated, peer-reviewed medical research shows a proven medical benefit.”
...
read more:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Police-groups-decry-Texas-push-for-marijuana-13718810.php