Cannabis
Texas Looking to Make Cannabis An Opioid Alternative
The opioid problem isn’t getting any smaller, and thus far, no tactics employed, are helping things out. If a new Texas bill goes through, it will officially make cannabis an opioid alternative in the state; giving a much needed replacement to these death-causing drugs. Will it pass, and what else would this new bill change?
Texas and cannabis
Texas is not historically one of the more lenient states when it comes to cannabis; although as a southern state, its made great leaps and bounds in the last few years. Prior to 1973, Texas had the most strict cannabis policy in the US, with all possession garnering a felony charge. In fact, such possession came with two years to life in prison. Luckily, things have loosened up on several fronts, starting with the passage of House Bill 447 in 1973, which changed the penalty scheme for cannabis crimes.
Even so, recreational cannabis is still illegal in the state, and possession of up to two ounces counts as a class B misdemeanor. It comes with a penalty of up to 180 days prison time, and up to $2000 in fines. This applies to state law, though several individual locations have enacted less severe punishment measures.
In 2015 Texas passed medical legislation that allowed the use of cannabis oil with no more than .5% THC, (since updated to 1%). This is applicable with a doctor’s prescription; and happened through Senate Bill 339 aka the Texas Compassionate Use Act. At the time of passage, cannabis oil was specifically meant for epilepsy patients. Since that time, Texas passed a range of bills to cover more illnesses, and loosen cannabis restrictions in general.
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Despite making progress on some fronts, like medical usage, Texas has had a back and forth pattern of progress. For example, as late as 2020, the state banned smokable hemp. In fact, as per Texas drug policy, “Smoke a joint, lose your license” applied, whereby part of the punishment for a drug infraction, was temporary loss of a drivers license. This was officially overturned in 2021. In term of smokable hemp, though the ban was overturned in 2021, in 2022, the State’s Supreme Court reinstated the ban on manufacture and processing of smokable hemp. This still stands.
Interestingly, in 2015, a Texas lawmaker introduced a recreational bill, under a religious pretense. Said Representative David Simpson who created the bill, “I don’t believe that when God made marijuana, he made a mistake that government needs to fix.” The bill, however, never cleared either side of the State’s Congress, and no subsequent effort of this nature was made.
New Texas bill to expand medical industry
Texas passed a couple updates since its original medical passage, in 2019 and 2021. And now, once again, legislation is on the table that would expand it out even further, and which introduces the ability to use cannabis as an opioid alternative. Originally filed at the end of January 2023 by republican Rep. Stephanie Klick, HB 1805 was officially passed by the Texas House of Representatives on April 12th, 2023. The vote was 127-19.
What does this bill do? It’s a cannabis bill meant to expand medical services. This time around, a couple things would come out of it. For one, it would replace the 1% THC cap with a 10 milligram volumetric dose. As per the wording of the bill, it redefines the term ‘low-THC cannabis’ to mean “the plant Cannabis sativa L., and any part of that plant or any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, preparation, resin, or oil of that plant that contains not more than 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinols in each dosage unit.” Thus, it removes “one percent by weight”, replacing it with the 10mg max instead.
The other big thing it would do, is allow cannabis to be prescribed as an alternative to opioid medications for patients with chronic pain issues. As per the wording of the bill, the inclusion would be made for “a condition that causes chronic pain, for which a physician would otherwise prescribe an opioid.” Right now, qualifying conditions are epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (incurable), PTSD, and medical conditions approved for research.
Another addition aside from cannabis as an opioid alternative, is that the Department of State Health Services could designate any issue seen as a debilitating medical condition, for cannabis treatment. This would make it so that more conditions could be treated by cannabis, regardless of whether they’re officially stated in the law.
The bill isn’t out of the woods yet, and passed over to the Texas Senate after approval by the House. Should it pass through the Senate, its expected to be enacted in September, 2023. But its already known that making it through the Senate, will be much harder than making it through the House. The Senate is presided over by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a staunch anti-legalization supporter.
An example of this disconnect between government entities related to cannabis was seen prominently in 2019, when the House passed a cannabis decriminalization measure, which stalled out in the Senate. Several other legislative measures concerning cannabis have gone the same way since that time.
Texas and opioids
Perhaps what will ultimately give this bill a good push forward, is that its specifically related to opioids. Opioids have become an incredible problem throughout the US, and beyond. 2021 saw close to 100,000 opioid overdose deaths in just the US, with nothing done on a substantial level to get rid of the problem.
In fact, despite the deaths, and despite every state having some kind of lawsuit against big pharma giants and retailers, opioids are still allowed through government regulation, and doctor’s are still most certainly allowed to prescribe them. While alternatives like ketamine exist (which would realistically prove more useful than cannabis), this is literally pushed down so far, its not a part of the conversation.
What’s the deal in Texas specifically with opioids? According to the Texas Workforce Commission, there were 2,506 opioid-related deaths in 2021, which was an 80% increase from 2020. In 2020, 92% of opioid deaths were from synthetic opioids, in the age range of 0-17. In 2021, the average monthly death rate was 209, up from 114 in 2019. And since 2017, 52% of all unintended deaths from overdose, included use of an opioid.
When comparing Texas to the rest of the US, in 2020, the Texas rate of opioid use was 7.2%, while in America overall, the rate was 5.6%. The top five counties in the state hit hardest by opioids in 2020, were: Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, and Travis; with deaths of 489, 217, 165, 125, and 109, respectively. It’s fair to say that Texas has a bit of a problem with opioids.
Enough to be a part of lawsuits against 11 different entities. These include four with manufacturing companies: Johnson & Johnson, Endo, Teva, and Allergan. It’s a part of a separate suit with the following distributors: AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. One against retailers: CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. And one with manufacturer and distributor Mallinckrodt, which is now bankrupt. It’s expected that all told (Texas and beyond), these companies are paying in the neighborhood of $50 million in these, and other, suits; and that’s not accounting for future lawsuits.
There’s no saying if this medical expansion bill will pass. However, that it attempts to facilitate some kind of help to opioid users in the way of using cannabis as an alternative for opioid medicines; indicates it might get more traction than other cannabis-related bills. In a state with growing opioid damage, even anti-cannabis holdouts, will eventually have to cave to voter will for help and change.
Conclusion
Cannabis might not be the overall best opioid alternative, but its certainly something at a time when something is needed. What might be a better showing of support for the people, however, is laws that eliminate the legal ability to prescribe and sell these medications. And if you’re thinking we could never as a population handle life without them; its best to remember that not only are there non-addictive alternatives like ketamine, but that we as a species survived thousands of years without synthetic opioids. Just a thought.
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It has become a popular gift with over 20% of the population putting it under the train. So we asked 3 wise man what to give (or consume) during the season.
The holiday season is a special time of year with a combination of Christmas, Hannakuh, and more are the modern hoildays descended from pagan holidays. Food, celebrations, gifts and a hint of something magical are all part of the holidays. With Christmas, the three wise men bring gifts to the baby Jesus being steered by a star. As we head into the last part of the season, why not think of the perfect gift to give or for yourself. We have three wise men give marijuana strain gift suggestions to share with our readers.
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Terran Cooper, one of the rising stars of the industry and a part of the firm Falcon Rappaport & Berman who works in the cannabis industry. New York based, he says while there are several great strains, he has two to share for the holiday season.
One of my favorite day time strains, Pineapple Express has skyrocketed in popularity following the 2008 film by the same name. This strain is one of the more energetic strains that I’ve come across, allowing for a nice balance between productivity and relaxation this holiday season. Its joyful and uplifting effects may pair nicely with last minute holiday tasks in addition to any festivities. Though infrequent consumers beware – its relatively high THC content means that a little can go a long way.
Andrew Laub, managing partner of Keneh Ventures and CEO of Cannabition, is a leader in the industry and shared his favorites. Golden Goat is my secret to finding joy in any moment, especially during the holiday season. Its tropical, citrusy flavor is bright and uplifting, just like its effects. I love how it gives me an energized, creative boost without feeling overwhelming, making it perfect for everything from decorating the house to hosting friends. It’s my reminder to savor the fun and chaos of the holidays.
Granddaddy Purple is like my personal escape when the holiday rush gets overwhelming. I love its rich, grape-like flavor and how it helps me unwind at the end of a busy day. Whether I’m binge-watching holiday movies or enjoying quiet time by the fireplace, this strain makes everything feel a little cozier and more magical.
Sour Diesel is my motivation when there’s too much to do and not enough time. Its energizing, citrusy aroma wakes me up, and its focus-boosting effects help me tackle long to-do lists with ease. I love using it to power through holiday prep, whether I’m wrapping gifts, planning meals, or brainstorming creative ways to make the season special.
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Online cannabis influencer Miguel a.k.a Miggy420 (@miggy420) believes consumption of cannabis is a personal experience with everyone being different. He sees the endocannabinoid system as unique as snowflakes in winter. Some smoke to wash away ills, others to wash away the ills of society. He shared his two favorites.
Vin Diesel Diesel is a sativa grown by Dewey’s Cultivars. Her beauty matches her taste with gassy hits reminiscent of early 2000 diesel strains I would buy in the traditional market. These growers come with a biochemical background and it shows with this plant, pure bliss – and this is coming from someone who prefers indicas.
If you’re looking for something post family events i.e you just realized the debt you incurred for the little ones or you’re just happy your conspiracy Uncle is gone, I recommend Gelato Cake by Agro Couture. This indica dominant hybrid will have your mind drifting away and able to focus on what it is you really wanted to do, hot box your bedroom and binge watch YouTube.
Enjoy these suggestions and may everyone have a great holiday season.
In another positive reason for cannabis legalization – teen use continues to drop.
One of the great arguments against marijuana legalization is it will lead to more youth partaking. This argument is brought out, despite teen alcohol use continuing to be a problem. Now, a new study shows teen marijuana is continuing to decline, coinciding with the increasing legalization of cannabis for adult use across the United States. This trend contradicts predictions made by opponents of legalization, who argued that easier access would lead to increased youth consumption.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported an 18% decrease in the percentage of 12- to 17-year-olds who had ever tried marijuana from 2014 to 2023. Additionally, current marijuana use among this age group fell by 19%. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey found a 26% reduction in the percentage of high schoolers identifying as current cannabis consumers between 2013 and 2023.
Researchers attribute this decline to several factors:
- Regulated markets: Licensed dispensaries require proof of age, making it more difficult for teenagers to obtain marijuana.
- Effective ID policies: Studies show high compliance rates among licensed cannabis retailers in checking customer IDs.
- Shifting perceptions: There has been a significant drop in youth perceptions that cannabis is easy to access, despite the widening adult-use marketplace.
The trend is not limited to the United States. A Canadian study found high school students reported more difficulty accessing marijuana since the country legalized it nationwide in 2019
These findings support the argument that regulated marijuana markets for adults, with appropriate safeguards, can effectively deter youth access and use. The data suggests that legalization policies can be implemented in a manner that provides regulated access for adults while simultaneously limiting youth access and misuse.
As more states consider legalizing marijuana, this evidence can inform policymakers and public health officials in developing effective strategies to protect youth while allowing adult use. The ongoing decline in teen marijuana use demonstrates that legalization, when properly implemented, does not necessarily lead to increased adolescent consumption and may even contribute to its reduction.
Roughly 25% of people are planning to give cannabis as a holiday gift….here are some practical suggestions to make it a success.
Last year was a watershed year for Santa with 1 in 4 planning to add cannabis into their gift giving, the trend is only going up in 2024. Since the plant has become mainstream (except for a few in DC), it is to be found under the tree, next to the menorah and during festive gatherings. Gen Z and Millennials are leading the trend with 78% (vs. 56% of Gen X and Boomers) in planning to include cannabis in their holiday plans. But you you want to do it right, here are the best tips if you are giving marijuana as a gift.
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While giving alcohol is a long tradition, giving cannabis is does have some variances. To start, so far most can’t grab it out of personal stock or fish it out of Christmas gifts already given for the year. While Costco, groceries stores and Total Wine are the booze top sellers, it can be also purchased in bodegas, gas stations and other locations. Cannabis still has to be purchased at specialized dispensaries.
First, plan ahead when you shop. The good news is most dispensaries keep hours similar to a grocery store – open by 9 am and closing around or after 10 pm. This makes dashing in for a last minute gift or squeezing it in during the day easy. Remember to bring cash, have a plan and chill out.
The good news isyou can’t seem to be “cheap” giving weed. Most edibles are in a small price range, whereas wine bought at a grocery stores can go for $6-$100. And the quality of the wine can vary greatly. Most edibles, including gummies, are within the same price point and potency while caring on quality. Wana Brands, one of the nation’s leading gummy makers, hits the mid spot on price. Also, unless you are doing a hefty gift basket, you are can give one or two items as a trail.
Never overestimate someone’s usage. Think about the recipient’s experience level and preferences when selecting cannabis gifts. For most, consider starting with low-dose or CBD-dominant products. Gummies, vapes, oil, or gift cards are all popular choices. Also, ask the budtender what the best sellers for mid level consumers.
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If you are in the less than 50% of the population where legal cannabis is available, consider hemp beverages. It can provide a quick, similar high but is legal. In Texas, they are huge sellers and can be found in some Total Wines, local convenience stores and other locations.
Lastly, have a hint of discretion, it might not be the best public secret Santa gift, but gummies can be a fun White Elephant!
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