Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Many Texans are seeing their marijuana possession cases dismissed because of a new law legalizing hemp.

Texas State Troopers were told to stop arresting people for low-level pot possession.

What's going on here?

#txlege bit.ly/2ZgVuzE

2/ The new law changed the definition of marijuana.

The law didn’t decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, but it legalized hemp and hemp-derived products, like CBD oil. #txlege bit.ly/2zenWaM

3/ But here's the problem: this law has made it difficult for law enforcement to tell if a substance is marijuana or hemp.

State crime labs say they don’t have the resources to detect the difference between the two. bit.ly/2zenWaM

4/ Texas lawmakers were repeatedly warned that the hemp law would complicate marijuana prosecutions.

The Texas Department of Public Safety told lawmakers that the additional drug testing resources needed would cost millions.

bit.ly/2HgmEka

5/ A Houston crime lab employee told Democratic state Rep. Tracy King’s office that, without funds to allow for new lab testing, the legislation would “essentially legalize marijuana.” bit.ly/2HgmEka

6/ But lawmakers didn't listen, and the issue got almost no attention.

Now, district attorneys across Texas are dropping or delaying low-level marijuana cases — they say the law now requires a THC test to prove something is pot beyond a reasonable doubt. bit.ly/2HgmEka

7/7 And Republican leaders are chastising these prosecutors for halting pot prosecutions.

State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, said these DAs are using the law as political cover to essentially legalize the drug in their districts. bit.ly/2HgmEka

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