Swing Into Action

Play 'fore' the animals at Houston SPCA's Topgolf tournament fundraiser

Break out your clubs and warm up your swing — it's time for the Houston SPCA's annual Topgolf Tournament.

This popular fundraiser supports the tireless work of the Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas, which takes in more than 12,000 ill, injured, and orphaned native wildlife annually from the greater Houston area and Gulf Coast.

It's the largest and most sophisticated wildlife response center in Texas, and the only trauma and wildlife rehabilitation center in southeast Texas that treats all injured, sick, and orphaned native wildlife species.

The tournament will take place — rain or shine — in Topgolf Katy's temperature-controlled bays on Saturday, June 3, from 10 am-1 pm.

Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome and encouraged to register. You can choose to build a team, play as an individual, or simply attend as a guest.

There will be live tournament leaderboards and automated game scoring to display each team’s activity in real time.

All golfers and guests will be treated to a tasty breakfast, have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items, and meet Houston SPCA education ambassadors like a Harris's hawk and crested caracara.

The tournament will take place at Topgolf Katy, located at 1030 Memorial Brook Blvd. Sponsorships are available at events@houstonspca.org or by calling 713-869-7722 ext. 148.

Topgolf/Facebook

Swing big to help save wildlife.

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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