AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas bill could legalize marijuana and allow state to collect tax on marijuana sales.
Under the Senate Bill 104, adults would legally be able to use, carry, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Additionally, adults may also cultivate no more than 12 plants on their own private residence. However, said plants must be be in an enclosed area, equipped with locks or other safety devices, and may not be view-able from a public place.
S.B 104 would still prohibit any selling or giving of marijuana to any person(s) under the age of 21.
Additionally, all retailers would be required to ID customers, use child-proof packaging and be banned from resembling any commercially sold candy.
S.B 104 would still allow political subdivisions to control the hours of operation, location, manner of conducting business, number of cannabis growers, and cannabis transporters of establishments.
The bill includes pay funding for police officers, a Border Security Enhancement Fund, and additional funding for Texas schools that would start on Sept 1, 2021, the day the bill would take effect if passed.
With the Border Enhancement Security Fund, Governor Abbott would be allowed to dispense said tax revenue to Texas law authorities within 50 miles of an international border, including towards their pay and salary.
With a 10% sale tax included, State Representative Roland Gutierrez hopes to combat the $4.6 billion deficit Texas is projected to face by Aug 2021, due to COVID-19 related job loss & economic fallout.
If passed, Texas would join other Republican lead states like South Dakota & Montana that both legalized marijuana sales this recent 2020 election season.
S.B. 104 would not pardon or expunge any criminal offenses related to marijuana possession committed before the date of Sep 1, 2021.
