When it comes to the long-term cultural fabric of Texas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is leading on a pair of issues that other elected officials would do well to follow.
On one front, Patrick is working to rid the state of former Democrat Gov. Ann Richards’ legacy by ending the Texas Lottery. That’s a long-running battle, and Patrick has like-minded fellow warriors fighting alongside him.
If Texas manages to rid itself of the lottery, it would finally be back in a position of leading the nation by moving away from the “let’s gamble on everything 24/7” hysteria that has come to dominate the culture.
The other issue is just as toxic to the culture, and that’s backdoor legal weed. Texas has seen explosive growth in its cannabis industry, despite the state’s historically strict stance against marijuana.
This dramatic expansion of Texas’ cannabis market is driven by hemp-derived THC products that came, like other encroachments, through the back door.
As we saw in the proliferation of online gambling in Texas—thanks to the rogue Texas Lottery—operating against the letter and intent of Texas’ long-standing gambling statutes, a loophole in legislation designed to enable hemp farming in the state opened the door for products containing delta-8 and delta-9 THC to flood the market.
Now, just like the illegal sports betting and online gambling operations in the state, the THC shops want to keep running.
How out of control has the matter become? Famously, and widely reported, Texas has more than 7,000 cannabis dispensaries, which is almost the number found in California.
Patrick has proposed Senate Bill 3, which aims to ban all forms of consumable THC sold without a prescription. Patrick argues that retailers have exploited existing laws, leading to the proliferation of potentially dangerous THC products.
“Since 2023, thousands of stores selling hazardous THC products have popped up in communities across the state, and many sell products, including beverages, that have three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer,” Patrick stated.
SB 3 is currently held up in the House State Affairs Committee, where it’s been sitting for nearly a month.
This isn’t the first time that Patrick has led on an issue ahead of its time.
Back in 2016, Patrick was at the forefront of stopping the invasion of women’s restrooms by men. However, the prevailing cultural winds were not in his favor at the time. North Carolina, which had introduced similar legislation, was boycotted by the NCAA, and business groups threatened similar actions against Texas.
Protecting the culture from well-organized subversive hordes working to undo it and replace it is essential work.
If you’ve been to New Mexico lately, you’ll know that legal weed has taken over the identity of the state. Shirts, hats, and store signs emblazoned with marijuana leaves are ubiquitous. It’s obnoxious and a net minus in every way.
Compared to his stand in 2017, Patrick isn’t rowing entirely upstream with his current push. Other states grappling with the consequences of marijuana legalization are backtracking. In Colorado, for instance, lawmakers introduced a bill that would impose stricter limits on cannabis sales, especially for adults under 26.
Oregon, which had previously decriminalized possession of small amounts of all drugs, recently reversed course. Starting September 1, 2024, possession of small amounts of hard drugs is once again considered a misdemeanor crime in the state.
Even Amsterdam, long known for its liberal drug policies, has reconsidered its approach. The city banned smoking marijuana in public and cut down on the number of “coffee shops” where consumption is legal. The cited reasons for the changes are crime and public health, but again, the pervasive use is a nuisance.
New York City’s experience with legalized marijuana is on the same trajectory. Residents and visitors alike complain about the smell of cannabis and its impact on the quality of life.
Attempts to smuggle gambling and drugs into the mainstream should be rebuffed in the name of good governance. Patrick is leading on these issues.
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