A Glamour-filled evening

Eclectic Glamour Women of the Year include Chelsea Handler, JLo, Laura Bush anddaughters

What do JLo, fashion designer Tory Burch and comedian Chelsea Handler have in common with Laura Bush and her daughters?

A common bond of high aspirations, big hearts and an undeniable impact on the community. All have been honored with the Glamour magazine 2011 Women of the Year award, and were recognized at a gala Monday night at New York City's Carnegie Hall.

The variety of the women selected for the 21st annual Glamour Women of the Year award speaks to the reach of the modern woman: Media mogul Arianna Huffington, 21-year-old sex worker-turned-activist Withelma "T" Ortiz-Macey, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Glee star Lea Michele, artist Cindy Sherman, Egyptian activitst Esraa Abdel Fattah and feminist author Gloria Steinem.

Laura Bush, along with her twin daughters Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, were recognized for their service to women and children throughout George W. Bush's presidency and beyond.

Laura Bush started the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative to fight breast and cervical cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Jenna Bush Hager promotes awareness for AIDS and women's health through UNICEF. Barbara Bush founded the Global Health Corps, which matches the skill sets of young professionals to poor communities in need throughout East Africa and the United States.

Condoleezza Rice presented the Bush women with the Generations Award. The former Secretary of State is no stranger to the ceremony, as she was selected as a 2008 Women of the Year recipient herself.

All of the women will be profiled in the December issue of the magazine, which hit newsstands Tuesday.

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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