Texas Cannabis Advocate Talking Points

Texas Cannabis Advocate Talking Points

Medical marijuana is a state’s prerogative. Thirty-three states and Washington, D.C. currently allow patients legal access to medical marijuana. Several other states are currently considering legislation to allow access to medical marijuana.

• Legalizing medical marijuana will create growth and job opportunities in Texas in addition to providing relief to thousands of patients.
• Reducing government interference in the medical field and creating a market for medical marijuana is a state’s prerogative.

Texas voters support allowing access to medical marijuana.

• A 2013 poll conducted by Public Policy Polling found that 58% of Texans support allowing access to medical marijuana.
• A 2013 national poll by Fox News found that 85% of Americans supported medical marijuana.
• Medical marijuana is a state’s prerogative. Legalizing medical marijuana will create growth and job opportunities in Texas in addition to providing relief to thousands of patients. Reducing government interference in the medical field and creating a market for medical marijuana is a state’s prerogative.

Write A Letter to the Editor

Here are some talking points to help you craft a letter-to-the-editor to your local newspaper in support of legalizing cannabis.

Tips

– Your letter will have a better chance of being published if it responds directly to breaking news or an article or commentary that was recently published. Sign up for Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy’s mailing list to stay updated on marijuana policy news in Texas!

– Focus on one important point. Don’t try to address separate issues in one letter.

– Eliminate any non-essential words, such as “I think …” to maximize your chance of being published.

– Ask readers to take action whenever possible. When it’s possible, create immediacy by indicating how readers will be affected by the issue you address.

– Never insult your audience.Be polite and concise. Try to keep all letters under 250 words and check the word limit at the paper to which you are submitting the letter to make sure it’s not too long.

Medical Marijuana Talking Points for Veterans

• 1.6 Texas veterans are living with PTSD as a result of their time spent serving their country.
• The suffering of these patients is devastating for them and their families.

Medical Marijuana Talking Points for Seriously Ill Patients

It’s time for Texans to ensure medical freedom for seriously ill patients to access the best treatment for their care, including medical marijuana.

• Every year, hundreds of thousands of Texans are diagnosed with serious and debilitating conditions – such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, seizure disorders and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).
• Currently available medications are not effective and many of the treatments currently prescribed cause devastating side effects.
• Patients need the freedom to use the treatment that is right for them.
• Physicians must be free to recommend the best treatment for their patients without government interference.
• For some patients for whom currently available medications are not effective, medical marijuana may provide relief from suffering and improve quality of life.

Research supports the effectiveness of medical marijuana.

There is extensive research indicting the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating a range of conditions such

• wasting
• muscle spasticity
• chronic pain

Imposing A Civil Fine for Possession Talking Points

• According to the Unified Crime Report, in 2012 there were over 70,000 arrests for marijuana possession in Texas, more than any other state. Meanwhile, the state clearance rate for reported rape cases was only 44% and nearly 70% of robbery cases went unsolved.

• A criminal penalty accompanying a conviction for possession of a small amount of marijuana can lead to a lifetime of harsh consequences. A conviction can result in denial of student financial aid and government housing benefits, employment, and professional licenses. Although more than 105 million adults have used marijuana, the unequal enforcement means these harsh collateral consequences disproportionately affect minorities.

• African Americans are 2.3 times more likely that whites to be arrested for marijuana possession, despite similar rates of usage.

• In Texas, ninety-seven percent of all marijuana-related arrests are for possession — not manufacture or distribution. Imposing criminal penalties and jail time on those who possess small amounts of marijuana forces law enforcement to spend valuable time on arresting, processing, and prosecuting non-violent offenders. This time would be better spent going after violent criminals.

Texas Association Advocates

Texas Nurses Association: “TNA believes alternative therapies and complementary modalities may be appropriate interventions to meet patient needs. Such therapies and modalities include the use of marijuana in appropriate medical situations such as helping patients manage chronic pain. Patients should have access to marijuana for such use and practitioners should have the right to counsel patients about the use of marijuana in a appropriate medical situations.”