Tyler Markwart, production manager of the Northwest Patient Resource Center, checks one of his marijuana dispensaries in Seattle. Texas legislators are debating a bill that would legalize marijuana on the grounds of religious freedom.

A bill to legalize marijuana on the grounds of religious freedom cleared a Texas House panel last week. What do you think of the religious freedom argument for legalizing marijuana?

George Pauksta, Sherman: Slippery slope here. What’s next, heroin, cocaine, meth religions? Kill black/white/Latino religions? Can anyone declare themselves a religion and get a pass? We’re dumb.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory runs a drill during a minicamp for rookie players Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the team's Valley Ranch practice facility in Irving, Texas. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News) 05102015xSPORTS

The agonizing wait until he hears his name, the way he handles the public flogging brought about by his actions, tells a lot about Randy Gregory.

Randy and his parents return to their Chicago hotel after the first night of the NFL draft. Kenneth and Mary ache for their son. They think back to the moment nearly 16 years earlier when both caught a glimpse of Randy’s love for the sport. The idea of one team after another passing on their son the next night as the cameras capture his reaction to each painful slight is almost too much to take.

AUSTIN -- Time is running out for many issues at the Texas Capitol, as bills to lower or eliminate the penalties for marijuana possession are on the verge of burning out.

Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy released a new television ad Tuesday morning featuring Russell Jones, a retired California narcotics detective who now lives in New Braunfels.

"Law enforcement officials have more important things to do with their time than arresting people for marijuana possession," Jones said in the 30 second spot, which is part of a $10,000 campaign that will air on broadcast and cable channels in Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio.

A pro-marijuana ad debuting in Texas on Tuesday showcases a retired police officer who says the state should take a more "sensible" approach to marijuana policies because the drug causes far fewer problems than alcohol.

"I know of no instance in my entire career where someone was acting out under the influence of marijuana," says Russell Jones in the ad supporting a Texas House bill that would decriminalize marijuana, reducing the penalty for possessing less than an ounce to a maximum civil fine of $250. Current state law allows maximum penalties of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine for possessing less than two ounces.

A controversial marijuana legalization bill is advancing in the Texas legislature and Texas Rep. David Sampson is urging his religiously conservative colleagues to back the bill.

According to Mr. Sampson God doesn't make mistakes, and thus marijuana was no accident or oversight that the government needs to regulate. Sampson has also argued that the government's efforts to regulate marijuana results in the violation of Constitutional rights.

 Saturday, hundreds of supporters of marijuana reform marched in support of bills in the Texas legislature that could change marijuana laws.

"They want to see change and they want to see it now," said Deputy Director of Texas National Organization for Reforming Marijuana Laws Jax Finkle.  

State lawmakers are facing 11 bills that could change marijuana laws in the Lone Star State this legislative session.
    
"We're out here to support them and let our representatives and senators know to make sure they take action on these bills," said Finkle.  

Texas State Rep. David Simpson wants to remove all references to marijuana from the state’s legal code. And he quotes scripture to back him up.

When a Texas House committee voted Wednesday night to approve a bill that would legalize buying and selling marijuana in the state, pot advocates were downright giddy on social media, even as some acknowledged the measure had little chance of becoming law.

But the vote underscored possibly shifting attitudes in the Legislature, not long ago staunchly against any marijuana legalization measure.

Supporters of loosening marijuana laws have said there seems to be growing interest among some lawmakers to lessen criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of pot and to expand the use of the now-illegal plant for medical purposes.

Tim Timmons holds a glass pipe filled with marijuana prior to smoking it at his Garland home October 26, 2010. Timmons, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has offered to go before the Texas legislature to show lawmakers what a toke looks like and explain the benefits in order to convince them that medical marijuana should be legalized. (COURTNEY PERRY/Staff Photographer)

Texas has taken the first major step toward legalizing marijuana, but with time limited and state leaders’ strongly opposed, it’s unlikely to happen.

AUSTIN, TEXAS (HEATHER FAZIO) The Texas State Senate approved a bill 26-5 on Thursday that is intended to allow qualifying patients with intractable seizure conditions to access a marijuana extract containing high levels of cannabidiol, or CBD, and only trace levels of THC. SB 339, introduced by Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler), will now be considered by the state House of Representatives.