Texas Veterans Ask Governor To Support Legalizing Marijuana
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - Some Texas veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are asking Governor Greg Abbott to support their effort to legalize medicinal marijuana. "Operation Trapped" is a veteran-based campaign to build support for their cause.
David Bass served in the U.S. Army in Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. He says many veterans have a number of problems with prescription medications. "What veterans have discovered is they can use cannabis instead of these narcotic pain medications or psychotropic drugs.
More than 150 Texas veterans are expected to march in the Austin Veteran's Day Parade, and then hold a press conference by the Vietnam Veterans Monument.
Operation Trapped members are hoping their effort swells in support by the 2017 Texas Legislature. Right now, the group is on a mission to collect over 1,000 empty medicine bottles, with the names of veterans who support the cause inside. The plan is to deliver the bottles on Veterans Lobby Day during the 2017 Legislature.
When it comes to smoking marijuana or cannabis for medical reasons, Bass says veterans want to comply with the law. "Thousands of Texas veterans already do this, but they do it illegally. We want a legal program," he said. "Cannabis does have medical benefits. The people that are saying this are veterans -- they're not Cheech and Chong."
Governor Abbott has previously said he will veto any legislation calling for the legalization of medicinal marijuana. He said, "I remain convinced that Texas should not legalize marijuana."
The coalition Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy is backing the Operation Trapped campaign and believe that in addtion to PTSD, cannabis can be used to relieve the symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic pain, or other service-related injuries.
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