Green Revolution

Houston just got greener: Go Local Houston expands its big box store fight

The concept behind the $10 Go Local Card is to promote local businesses whilesimultaneously passing savings along to the consumer.
At Zimm’s Little Deck, Go Local Houston cardholders receive a free bread puddingwith the purchase of a sandwich.
DeVille Fine Jewelry offers customers 10 percent off full priced items when theyuse their Go Local Houston card.

It just got even easier to support local businesses: Go Local Houston, a guide for all things local and eco-friendly, added over 20 new businesses to its program recently, including Taco Milago, Field of Greens and upscale River Oaks boutique Rebecca & Drew.

The concept behind the $10 Go Local Card is to promote local businesses while simultaneously passing savings along to the consumer. The company originated in Austin, where it has enjoyed tremendous success: There are now over 450 participating businesses and 72,000 cardholders throughout that city. Programs are also being launched in San Antonio, New Orleans, Atlanta and Boulder, Colo.

Elliot Gerstenhaber, Go Local Houston founder, says that “the increasing saturation of faceless big box franchises into our neighborhoods has Houstonians more and more aware of the importance of supporting the myriad of local businesses and organizations that make Houston the dynamic, vibrant and unique city it is.”

Participating businesses include Ruggles Green, Deville Fine Jewelry, Zimm’s Little Deck, Fusion Taco and La Colombe d’Or Hotel.

Entrepreneur Magazine says that for every $100 dollars spent at a locally owned business, $68 comes back to the community, while only $43 re-circulates from $100 spent at a national chain store.

In addition to knowing that they are supporting local businesses, Go Local Houston cardholders enjoy a number of exclusive discounts and savings from participating businesses. Ruggles Green provides a 10-percent discount on all meals, Fusion Taco has a buy one get one free offer, Chloe Dao's uber-chic boutique Lot 8 offers 15 percent off all regular priced items and Zimm’s Little Deck gives customers a free bread pudding with the purchase of a sandwich.

By purchasing a Go Local Houston card, Houstonians can also support local charities. While $5 of the $10 card sale goes to Go Local Houston, another $5 goes to the organization selling the card. So if you buy your Go Local Houston Card at the Texas Children’s Hospital gift shop, $5 will go to support the hospital. You can also designate one of dozens of other charities to support when purchasing your card on the Go Local Houston website.

The program has already been successful: approximately 3,500 cards are in circulation. To find more info about participating vendors, or purchase a Go Local Houston card, visit the company's website.

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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