houston proud

Pay homage to a Houston and Texas icon at this free museum event

General Sam Houston's Steamboat House is open to visitors.

Photo courtesy of Sam Houston Memorial Museum

Texas history buffs who want to pay homage to Houston’s namesake can now visit a new shrine. The Sam Houston Memorial Museum is open to the public in Huntsville, after a year-long pause due to the pandemic.

General Sam Houston’s Steamboat House, specifically, opens to guests in commemoration of the death of the legendary leader of the Texas revolution.

“Sam Houston was a key figure in not only Texas history, but the history of the United States as a whole,” said Derrick Birdsall, museum curator, in a press release. “On a local level, the City of Huntsville — which just celebrated its 186th birthday ... would not be what it is today without the influence of Houston.”

Those exploring the historic site can expect historical re-enactors portraying the events that occurred during Houston's funeral on July 27, 1863, according to a release.
Museum staff dressed in historical clothing who will lead attendees through the house for tours.

Folks can explore the three downstairs rooms and the upstairs parlor and speak with costumed historical interpreters about Sam Houston’s life in Huntsville, as well as his death.

“The opportunity to visit the home in which Houston died in will allow visitors a little glimpse into the last days of a man who shaped local, state, and national history,” Birdsall added.

This immersive event will be open from 10 am to 2 pm on Monday, July 26; admission is free. The museum store will also be open. For more information, visit the official site.

museums

no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

undefined

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