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RPP-SamplePresentation2.pptxLegalization of medicinal marijuana in Texas
Insert your name and course heading
Texas Residents Want More Freedom in Their Healthcare Choices
The ability to have more say in your medical treatments and a bigger partnership with their doctors will increase quality of life for many Texas residents.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott
The Governor is my main target audience for my research paper. I felt like he has the authority to legalize medicinal cannabis and extend the Compassionate Act of 2015. I also connected with him on a physical level as we both are in wheelchairs on an everyday basis.
POLICIES IN PLACE
Where does Texas stand already on this matter?
Legalization in the United States
Texas needs to join the other states that provide legalization for medicinal purposes
Showing that 4 out of 52 states are participating in legal marijuana use at some level. Texas shows their legal stance with the CBD/Low THC program.
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COMPASSIONATE USE ACT of 2015
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COMPASSIONATE USE ACT of 2015
WHO:
Governor Greg Abbott passed the Compassionate Use Act in 2015. This policy only covers a minimum list of medical conditions.
Population Served:
Current policy allows access to less than 1% of Texans. Many Texans with disabilities and other varying medical conditions are denied access under the current program.
Texas Game Changers for Legalization & List Expansion:
Coalition for Texans with Disabilites
Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy
Texas NORML
(National Organization on Reforming Marijuana Laws)
Compassionate Act of 2015 needs to be extended to cover more medical conditions
Many conditions, that have proven research, supports medical cannabis use and should be added to the list of legal users in Texas. Everyone should have the right to benefit from its’ use and have a say in their medical treatments.
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Texas Tribune: Hemp Law
This year Texas passed a law legalizing hemp which resulted in prosecutors dropping hundreds of marijuana cases throughout the state.
The new law changed the definition of marijuana, and prosecutors and crime labs say they don't have the resources to test if a substance is legal hemp or marijuana.
Updated current Texas policy on hemp. This effects my proposal and can be used to help push my agenda for legalization.
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Texas already preparing for legalization
Compassionate Cultivation’s medical marijuana production facility produced Texas’ first-ever legal marijuana crop
Due to medical dispenseries already in full operation from the birth of the Compassionate Use Act, this can be a positive incentive for legalization, promoting a smoother transition to full medical use for Texas residents.
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Sources Used in Research Report
Stereotypes
I wanted to address the strategic bias and stereotypes out there against marijuana. I felt that this was crucial for my audience to read in order to have a full understanding of how negatively marijuana has been portrayed to the public. These false stereotypes effects policy makers and how the general public will vote.
Quality of Life (QOL)
I wanted to address how medical professionals and caretakers felt about medicinal cannabis use for their patients. I wanted to provide the Governor their perspective laced with their professional fears pertaining to state licensing for many healthcare positions.
Naysayers
I wanted to connect with the naysayer’s perspectives by sharing some of the concerns that they had like crime increasing all over the state. I wanted to provide a valid answer to those concerns against legalization.
I used several sources to make my stance on legalization. I used medical articles, crime research reports, historical background information on marijuana vs opioids to make an appeal to my target audience that this is greatly needed for Texas.
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Crime Rates Quality of Life Position Healthcare Professionals Stance Economy Substance Abuse Nayers
These are my stances that I personally took in the research paper to support the legalization of medicinal cannabis and the expansion of the Compassionate Use Act of 2015 for Texas residents.
I wanted to provide information, research and valid personal perspectives about each of these topics that addresses many concerns against and for legalization.
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“Legalization in Texas would cause a slipperly slope”
NAYSAYER
Texas Lieutenant Govenor Dan Patrick works with Govenor Abbott. His misconception of medicial cannabis is hindering our state’s progression towards legalization.
Because my target audience works closely with my main naysayer, I hope to provide enough valuable information to change his direction of thought.
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“Good people don’t smoke marijuana.”
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made it clear that he does not support the legalization of marijuana
These false comments based on bias, stereotypes and political agendas is extremely damaging and contrary to the truth. Our State needs to base their stance on facts and current research when making important policy decisions based on millions of residents
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Political naysayers like Attorney General Jeff Sessions, projects negative views onto the general public and then makes policy out of them. This distorts the truth on many levels.
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Addictions that are legally supported in the United States
Big Tobacco
Nicotine is highly addictive and takes around eight million lives yearly. About half of cigarette smokers die of tobacco-related diseases. Second hand smoke has also been linked to a variety of conditions but it’s LEGAL to smoke, WHY?
Drinking
Texas reports around one million alcohol related addictions and deaths yearly. Drinking & driving is a huge problem in our state but it’s LEGAL to drink, WHY?
Big Pharma
The opioid crisis has taken over ever demographic in the US. Millions are losing their health and lives by using prescription drugs and Texans are feeling this crisis as well but it’s LEGAL to use drugs if their prescribed, WHY?
To address the naysayers with educated responses to their concerns for medical legalization. I was looking to plant seeds and shed light on the hyprocrisy of laws and their relation to these industries.
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Marijuana has been on the nation’s prohibited list for decades, accompanied with herion, cocaine and opium. The natural medicinal plant has been used as a political tool to justify the agendas of a few for example; pharmecutical companies, insurance companies, private business like alcohol and tobacco companies.
I liked this meme because it goes along with my position on the misinformation that is given to the general public.
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DESPERATE FOR CHANGE
Residents want to see legalization of medicinal marijuana and the decriminalization of possession.
Decriminalization of Misdemeanor Charges
A number of states have also decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. This has changed thousands of lives.
Crime charges for people caught with a small possession is being advocated for all over the country. Peoples lives are being uprooted and forever changed due to these types of charges and our nation wants to see this legally changed.
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Texans for Legalization
Partners in the Fight:
Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy
ADAPT of Texas
American Council of the Blind of Texas
Autism Society of Texas
Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living
DisabilitySA
Easterseals Serving Central Texas
Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas
Helping Restore Ability
National Infusion Center Association
Panhandle Independent Living Center (PILC)
Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas (PACT)
REACH Resource Centers on Independent Living-Ft. Worth, Dallas, Denton, & Plano
SymbioWellness
Texas Association for Interior Design
Texas Nurses Association
Texas Parent to Parent
Texas Silver-Haired Legislature
VSA Texas
CONCLUSION:
I have confidence in my stance and position that I have presented here today. I can only hope that our state leaders will take in consideration the benefits that legalizing and expanding the availability of medicinal cannabis to all Texas residents can have.
