John Bradshaw Remembered

Best-selling author John Bradshaw remembered for changing the conversation about addiction

Services for John Bradshaw are set for Saturday.

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New York Times bestselling author and self-help icon John Bradshaw passed away on Sunday, May 8. The cause of death was heart failure. Bradshaw was 82.

The Houston-born counselor and Emmy-nominated television personality developed a national following for his frank discussion about substance abuse and his difficult childhood in which he was abandoned by an alcoholic father. His powerful motivational skills were first noticed while he was speaking at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He rose to prominence in the 1970s and '80s as the host of the PBS series, Bradshaw On: The Family. He was later nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host for his series Bradshaw On: Homecoming.

He authored seven books, including three New York Times best sellers, including Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child, Healing the Shame That Binds You and Creating Love. His books have sold over 12.5 million copies and are published in 42 different languages.

Bradshaw, who is widely credited with popularizing the terms "inner child" and "dysfunctional family," often said “recovery begins with embracing our pain and taking the risk to share it with others.”

Bradshaw studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood, earning a B.A. degree in Sacred Theology and an M.A. degree in philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1963. Six years later he returned to Houston, doing graduate work in psychology and religion at Rice University, which led to his career as a counselor and public speaker in the area of addiction.

Bradshaw is survived by his wife, Karen Mabray Bradshaw, his children, John Bradshaw Jr. and Ariel Harper Bradshaw, and two step-children Brad Isaacs and Brenda Isaacs Booth.

His family will receive guests Friday, May 13, from 5 - 8 pm, at Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home, 1734 West Alabama St. The funeral service will be held at 10 am Saturday, May 14, at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. A reception will follow in Sumners Hall. The burial will follow at Earthman's Resthaven, 13102 North Freeway in Houston.

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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.

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