Texas Lieutenant Governor Resorts To Extortion To Pass THC Ban

Texas continues it's journey into becoming a nanny-state.

Texas Politics

Let's talk about the definition of "extortion". It goes like this:

"the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats"-Oxford Dictionary

Money may not be involved, but threatening legislators with a promise to take them away from thier families, communities, and personal businesses certainly is.

The Issue

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is threatening to call a special session if his goal of passing a THC ban is not enacted. Wow, you would think having everyone vote their conscious, or the will of their constituents would be for the best, but Dan Patrick knows what's good for you, and he's going to make life tough on a lot of people to get his way. This is schoolyard bully nonsense.

Read More: Texas Senate Votes To Ban Delta Products: What’s Next For Cannabis Legislation?

The Dilemma

Right now Texas lawmakers have it tough. Many come from towns where the only new business they've seen in years is a neighborhood vape shop (that often provide many other conveniences for communities).  Texans overall support decriminalization with a clear majority support total legalizations. So if you're a legislator, what do you do? Do you support the majority, or do you bow to Dan Patrick and his pearl-clutching squad?

Bullied For A Vote

Imagine if you were on the fence on an issue. You're already torn between business, personal relationships, and a steady stream of facts and propaganda, then someone threatens to take a week of your life away because you either can't decide, or don't agree with them. You'd probably just throw your hands up and vote for the ban just so it doesn't upend your life.  That's a dirty win for Patrick and it stinks for over 7,000 business out there who are affected. It certainly fit's the definition of "the practice of obtaining something, through force or threats".