lighting up for those lost

Houston lights up for those lost to COVID as part of national tribute

Houston City Hall will light up in tribute to those lost.

With the U.S. now surpassing 400,000 deaths due to COVID-19, a national movement is underway to honor those lost on Tuesday, January 19.

To that end, the City of Houston is joining the country-wide memorial to lives lost to COVID-19 event by turning City hall and other familiar local buildings amber at dusk on Tuesday, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced.

This socially distanced memorial will follow all safety protocols and include remarks from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and invited faith leaders, per a statement. Participants include the combined Honor Guard from the Houston Police Department and Houston Fire Department.

The list of participating Houston buildings and venues include:

City Hall
Partnership Tower
The Wortham Theater
Jones Hall
7 Wonders (Theatre District — west of the Wortham)
The Lyric Center
Main Street square
Montrose Highway 59 bridges/Interstate 69
The Wharf (art piece in front of the GRB)
Uptown Park/Post Oak
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Hobby Airport

More downtown buildings are expected to participate on Tuesday and Mayor Turner also encourages all houses of worship and places of business that have bells to toll the bells “in unity to honor the lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.

Meanwhile, a memorial will take place in Washington D.C. with a lighting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the illumination of buildings and ringing of church bells across the nation. The event is part of the inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris.

“It is important that our city and country unite at this time and reflect on the devastating impact COVID-19 has inflicted on our communities,” said Turner in a statement. “A lot of families are grieving the loss of a loved one. Hosting a memorial and remembering people who died due to complications from the virus will be a nonpartisan event. I encourage everyone to join us by illuminating your building, ringing a bell, and watching the virtual program.”

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana