#HoustonStrong

J.J. Watt's Harvey relief fund surpasses $8.5 million, thanks to a big boost from Ellen

Houston, 5th annual JJ Watt Charity Classic, May 2017, J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt's fundraising campaign for Hurricane Harvey victims has surpassed $6 million.

Photo courtesy of J.J. Watt/Facebook

Update: By Thursday afternoon (August 31), the JJ Watt Hurricane Harvey relief fund had raised $12 million.

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Houston Texans star J.J. Watt opened up about a fundraising campaign he started for Hurricane Harvey victims, calling it a community effort. "We're trying to raise as much as we can because we know that these recovery efforts are going to be massive," Watt told Good Morning America on Tuesday.

Watt has been steadily raising the goal of his fundraiser since it was started on Sunday. He originally started with a goal of $200,000, but the total has ballooned to more than $8.5 million by Wednesday night with a new goal of $10 million.

"What's happening right now is so much bigger than football," he said.

UPDATE: During an interview with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres Wednesday night (August 30v, Watt was surprised with a $1 million check from Walmart for his relief fund. "You're an amazing guy. It's really going to be hard to root against you if we're playing you in a game," DeGeneres said. "I promise you I will make this money go a long way," Watt said. "I promise you we will help rebuild Houston."

When #Texas needed him, @JJWatt was there. I was honored to help make this amazing gift from @Walmart possible. https://t.co/bObBtijEwq

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 31, 2017

The Texans star also spoke about the fund on Wednesday before getting on a bus headed to Houston from Frisco, Texas, where the teams have been all week. The preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, which had been moved to Arlington, has been canceled so the team could get back to Houston. They had to take buses back because both Houston airports remain closed.

Read the full story from our news partners at ABC13 and watch this video:

hurricane

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