American Bar Association's support for legalizing marijuana may impact Texas

by Jim Lefko

SAN ANTONIO - The powerful American Bar Association - made up of lawyers and judges - is now endorsing ending marijuana prohibition. If Congress follows the ABA's lead and removes pot from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act, the impact could be felt in Texas.

"The American Bar Association is taking a step toward reality,' says Gerald Goldstein, a prominent San Antonio attorney who co-chairs the legal committee for NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws. "I think they are coming to realize that this has been a failed experiment."

Known as the oldest practicing attorney in Texas, Goldstein, 75, has been a long-time legalization advocate.

"It's less harmful than alcohol and less addictive than nicotine. Yet we have continued to put people in prison," he says.

San Antonio attorney Gerald Goldstein is co-chair of NORML's legal committee. (SBG photo)

 

Goldstein notes Texas has come a long way since 1970, when NORML was formed. At that time, 13 Texans were serving life sentences for possessing a single joint. Now, 11 states have legalized marijuana. Texas is not one of them. But that could change, he predicts.

"Most metropolitan areas think it's a terrible waste of precious resources. We can no longer afford to have policemen chasing down kids. We can no longer afford to warehouse people for simple possession of marijuana," he says.

"I would hope it doesn't take two years."

Count Bridget McFarlin as a supporter. She makes a living selling tobacco products at Smokerz Paradize on Broadway.

"Tobacco does all this damage and yet it's advertised, and its crazy. Marijuana has all these benefits and yet its looked at as if its wrong," she says.

If marijuana is legalized, "we would have a lot more happy people coming in ready to buy a lot more bigger things," McFarlin says.

Her family owns land in California where marijuana is being grown legally. She sees how much tax revenue is generated there, and thinks Texas would benefit the same way.

"I really think we'll finally be able to finish I-35 if we do it," she says, " and get new books for schools too."

Bridget McFarlin hopes marijuana becomes legal in Texas soon to help sales at her store, Smokerz Paradize, on Broadway. (SBG photo)

 

In recent months, San Antonians caught with small amounts of marijuana can be cited rather than arrested and taken to jail.

Not everyone is on the pro-marijuana bandwagon. Texas state law allows for only extremely limited medicinal use.

The San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness conducts monthly marijuana education classes for people charged with possession. Citing the THC in pot and its adverse affect on people, the Council continues to advocate for marijuana use remaining illegal.

The Gervin Center's mission includes a goal of continuing "to work on reducing youth marijuana use and its related consequences."

Still, Goldstein thinks the political climate is changing in Texas.

"I think we've got fairly enlightened legislators who will listen to reason," he says. "I think the next legislature, you're going to see this be an important issue. Our representatives from metropolitan areas will be fairly motivated. If I was a politician, I'd want to put it on the ballot."