Liberty Incumbent David Simpson Introduces Bill to end Marijuana Prohibition in Texas

[William Tell]

David Simpson


16 hrs ·

Today, in celebration of Texas Independence, I filed House Bill 2165 which would repeal marijuana prohibition in Texas. We can’t fix all of the past wrongs caused by prohibition, but at least we can stop perpetuating them. See the article below published by TribTalk.
https://www.facebook.com/DavidSimpso...52687364886404

http://tribtalk.org/2015/03/02/the-c...ug-law-reform/

On Monday, Representative David Simpson of Longview filed House Bill 2165, in favor of removing the prohibition of marijuana in the state of Texas. Simpson says marijuana should be regulated like tomatoes and jalapenos, among other comments.

The information released by Simpson's office is as follows:
Today Representative David Simpson (R-Longview) filed House Bill 2165 to strike all references to marijuana offenses from the Texas statutes. This represents a comprehensive repeal of marijuana prohibition in Texas.
“We can't fix all of the past wrongs caused by prohibition, but at least we can stop perpetuating them,” said Representative Simpson.


This is perhaps the first bill of its kind in the nation that proposes to simply undo prohibition and avoid the big government approach taken in other states that basically re-regulate the plant.


“I am proposing that this plant be regulated like tomatoes, jalapeños or coffee.” Rep. Simpson continued, “Current marijuana policies are not based on science or sound evidence, but rather misinformation and fear. All that God created is good, including marijuana. God did not make a mistake when he made marijuana that the government needs to fix. Let's allow the plant to be utilized for good—helping people with seizures, treating warriors with PTSD, producing fiber and other products—or simply for beauty and enjoyment. Government prohibition should be for violent actions that harm your neighbor—not of the possession, cultivation, and responsible use of plants.”


In 1914 during the height of Pancho Villa's revolution in Mexico, many refugees and young Mexican men seeking work began moving across the Texas border. In response, the City of El Paso passed the first ordinance in the nation outlawing use of the marijuana plant as a means to address what were perceived as foreign and rowdy young men disturbing the peace.

http://www.waff.com/story/28244312/r...state-of-texas

[William Tell]

[William Tell]

Simpson marijuana bill provokes opposition, support among Longview area constituents



Simpson pushes legal pot bill



State Rep. David Simpson’s bill to comprehensively repeal marijuana prohibitions in state law drew opposition from law enforcement Tuesday but praise from a Libertarian Party leader as taking a bite out of a failed war on drugs.

Simpson of Longview cited the trillion-dollar drug war as one reason for filing House Bill 2165 in Austin.

“I think the approach of the war on drugs policies has demonstrated complete failure,” the tea party Republican said Tuesday. “It’s a waste of resources, both in lives and money.”

Rather than decriminalizing marijuana for highly regulated — and taxed — medical or recreational use, as some states have done, Simpson’s measure simply legalizes the plant itself.

Filed late Monday, the measure had not attracted any co-sponsors by Tuesday night, but Simpson said he’s not alone.

“I did it because constituents have expressed a desire for that (plant) and for its medicinal use,” he said. “There’s Republicans, and there’s even elected officials — a lot of them don’t want to talk about it in public, but they have told me in private — that support repeal, complete repeal, in both (Gregg and Upshur) counties.”

The bill also reflects Simpson’s faith.

“God didn’t make a mistake when he made marijuana, a mistake that government needs to fix,” he said. “It is innately good and can be abused.”

So can alcohol, caffeine — food, itself, he added, citing Biblical instruction against consuming too much food or wine, or sleeping too much.

Continue: http://www.news-journal.com/news/loc...da2aa5191.html

[William Tell]

[William Tell]

[William Tell]