A Special Message from David Simpson…
As the representative for House District 7, constituents came to me and asked for my help—people like the Johnsons and the Bortells. They asked me to help their children and to address a life and death issue.
In light of their struggles and the dire choices they faced, I filed a medical freedom bill to allow them to give their children the help that they needed without removing any penalties in the event an individual harmed another through irresponsible use. I did not want to set up an Obamacare-style regulation scheme that put bureaucrats between parents and children, doctors and patients. Though my bill passed out of committee, it did not make it to the House floor for a vote.
While my opponent does not agree with me that adults should have the freedom to access the medicinal benefits of the whole cannabis plant, we have very similar voting records on other cannabis issues. We both co-authored legislation to decriminalize the possession of cannabis. While that is a step in the right direction, if after Prohibition we had decriminalized, rather than legalized alcohol, you would still be buying it from bootleggers. With requiring the purchase of cannabis from drug cartels and gangs, decriminalization of possession of the plant does little to remove the negative influence of the product. And, drug dealers don’t ask to verify age when selling your child cannabis or drugs.
Another bill did pass that my opponent supported. It expanded our state’s bureaucracy and established a complicated licensing and regulatory scheme to allow children with intractable epilepsy access to a very limited dose of cannabis oil. Though politically it appears to be a step forward, it requires people to suffer from the debilitating side effects and failure of at least two government-approved drugs before it can be used. And, the legislation prohibits doses that have been effective in treating the epilepsy from which many suffer, like the Bortells’ young daughter, Alexis. It will not allow for treatment of persons suffering from acute or chronic pain, cancer, dystonia, or veterans afflicted with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
My opponent’s opposition to medical freedom goes so far he voted against a study for our veterans to establish the efficacy of cannabis in treating PTSD. At a time when 22 veterans a day are committing suicide, we should be doing all that is possible to provide them with affordable options to treatment with the fewest side effects.
My fear of an expansion of government bureaucracy and power, while doing little or nothing to help those suffering from these conditions, has come to pass.
I have paid a high price for supporting my constituents, carrying this bill, and speaking the truth about this issue. However, I went into politics to take strong positions and lead on issues that affect East Texans. If my legacy is to lose an election standing on principle and defending these families, then I will sleep with ease and accept that verdict, but I hope and pray that the voters of Senate District 1 will see my heart and know that I will endure any price to protect and expand their freedoms as well.
–Representative David Simpson, Longview, November 5, 2015
A Family’s Struggle
A Family’s Triumph
It’s About Families, Not Politics
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Record
Voted FOR 84R SB339 by Sen. Eltife (Allowing the limited use of cannabis in the treatment of epilepsy)
Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis and the regulation of related organizations and individuals; requiring a dispensing organization to obtain a license to dispense low-THC cannabis and any employee of a dispensing organization to obtain a registration; authorizing fees.
Coauthored and supported 83R HB184 by Reps. Dutton and Burnam, 84R HB325 by Rep. Wu, and 84R HB507 by Reps. Moody, Lucio III, Dutton, and Wu. (Allowing the decriminalization of marijuana)
Legislation
Relating to repealing marihuana offenses; prohibiting the sale or distribution of marihuana to a minor; creating criminal offenses.
84R HB3404 Amendment 1 by Rep. Simpson
Relating to a study on providing care to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
