http://m.txdemocrats.org/pdf/2014-Platform.pdf It is a very progressive document. For example here is the section on decriminalization of pot
DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
Our current penal marijuana laws give power, control, and illicit funding to violent Drug Cartels. The laws destroy young lives with a criminal record and possible prison incarceration. Such harsh laws serve no useful purpose. Such prohibition promotes disrespect for the law and reinforces ethnic and generational divides between the public and law enforcement.
Every year hundreds of thousands of Americans are arrested for marijuana possession violations - far more than all those arrested for violent crimes in America. Societal costs dealing with the war on drugs concerning marijuana exceeds 12 billion dollars annually. Since the war on drugs began, 85% of the arrests for marijuana have been for possession only.
Marijuana is no more dangerous than tobacco or alcohol. Recent polls show over 60% of Americans believe marijuana should be decriminalized. While arrests for marijuana since 1965 have included over 20 million citizens, marijuana is more prevalent than ever before.
There is no evidence that marijuana is a “gateway” drug leading to use of other more lethal drugs. 75% of citizens arrested for marijuana are under 30. Persons of color account for a majority of those arrested for marijuana. Criminal conviction permanently scars a young person for life.
Texas Democrats urges the President, the Attorney General, Congress as well as the Texas Legislature, to support the passage of legislation to decriminalize the possession of marijuana and regulate its use, production, and sale as is done with tobacco and alcohol.
Colorado and Washington have successfully implemented laws to legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana and regulate its use and sale and taxing of marijuana. The Governor in his budget for Colorado projects 134 million dollars in tax revenue in the current fiscal year. We urge the immediate decriminalization of possession and use of medical marijuana. We support the Texas Legislature to study the laws and systems in Colorado and Washington as a first step
in implementing a similar system in Texas.
Last cycle, Lawrence O'Donnell read this portion of the platform on the Last Word
= new reply since forum marked as read
