Dear MPP Supporter :

It’s been another big year for medical marijuana in 2010. New Jersey and Washington, D.C., joined the growing list of jurisdictions where patients can legally obtain medical marijuana, with South Dakota, Oregon, and Arizona slated to vote on medical marijuana initiatives in November. Perhaps most shocking, though, was the introduction and success of medical marijuana bills in the legislatures of states where one might not expect a lot of support for medical marijuana. Kansas, Virginia, and North Carolina considered medical marijuana bills, and bills in Tennessee and Alabama were actually approved by one or more legislative committees. Now Texas joins the list of conservative states that may be considering medical marijuana.

Late last month the Texas Democratic Party held their statewide convention, at which the party decides what issues are important enough to be made a part of their campaign platform. In addition to resolutions calling for improving public education, promoting green jobs, and calling for development of renewable energy resources, delegates at the convention voted in favor of adopting a resolution calling on legislators in Austin to pass medical marijuana in the Lone Star State. The resolution noted that medical marijuana has the capacity to ease the symptoms associated with certain medical conditions and treatments, and correctly pointed out that revenue from taxation would help raise revenue toward state budget shortfalls.

The revenue point is a salient one, all too often ignored in the debate. It’s worth pointing out that California officials estimate their state receives over $100 million in tax receipts on medical marijuana. And taxes aren’t the only source of revenue. The Denver Daily News reported earlier this week that Colorado collected $7.43 million in application fees alone from those wishing to become licensed growers or operate medical marijuana-related businesses. And of course all this is to say nothing of the fact that passing a medical marijuana law would end the cruel practice of arresting seriously ill people just for seeking to alleviate their suffering by using the medicine that works best for them.

If you’d like to help make medical marijuana a reality in Texas, it takes less than two minutes to send your legislators a message asking them to sponsor a bill. While you’re at it, ask your friends to do the same. And if you or a loved one could personally benefit from such a law, your voice could be particularly influential. Please e-mail us at state@mpp.org for tips on speaking with your elected officials and other ways you can get involved.