State Senator Scheduled To File Comprehensive Medical Cannabis Bill

AUSTIN, TX — Texas Sen. José Menéndez on Tuesday is scheduled to file a comprehensive medical cannabis bill followed by a press conference detailing his initiative, his office confirmed.

"Doctors, not politicians, should be determining what is best for Texas patients," Menéndez said in a prepared statement on Monday ahead of his press conference. "This is legitimate medicine that can help a of variety people, from the grandmother suffering from cancer to the veteran coping with PTSD after returning home from war."

The bill will allow patients with debilitating and chronic medical conditions to receive cannabis under recommendation and consultation of their doctor, he explained.

"Twenty-eight states have recognized the medical benefit of cannabis, including conservative states like Arkansas, Montana, and North Dakota," Menéndez said. "It's time Texas steps up to the plate and provide real relief for our suffering patients."

In the last session of the Legislature, Menéndez filed the first comprehensive medical cannabis legislation in the history of Texas, Senate Bill 1839. He was also the co-author of the landmark Senate Bill 339 which allowed for limited cannabis use for people with intractable epilepsy, he said.

Expected to appear with Menéndez during his press conference will be patients and advocates for medical marijuana, officials from his office said.

The press conference is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. at the state Capitol. To watch a live stream of the briefing on Tuesday, click here.

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