By Monterey Bud
After drawing a direct parallel between gambling while on vacation in Sin City and getting high when visiting Colorado, a Texas judge sided with a teacher from the Lone Star State who tested positive for THC after her 2015 vacation.
According to a report from MyStatesMan, Administrative Law Judge William Newchurch came down the side of common sense and true justice.
“In a first, Judge finds teacher’s Colorado high doesn’t count in Texas”
In his finding, Judge Newchurch noted that “possession of a usable quantity of marijuana is a criminal offense in Texas.” But stipulated the court “would not recommend that the Board find a teacher unworthy to instruct in Texas because she legally gambled in Nevada,” which makes impeccable sense.
Unfortunately for Maryam Roland, the judge’s finding is not the final word on this specific case since the Texas State Board for Educator Certification has the final say on her employment.
“Texas administrative courts can determine facts, a judge’s opinion, called a proposal for decision, is advisory; the licensing agency can either accept or reject it. Either side can then appeal to state district court.”
Still waiting on the official ruling from the Texas State Board, Roland’s case exposes some rather complicated questions going forward.
As more states legalize recreational marijuana use, how will neighboring states with prohibitive marijuana laws react when their constituents return home from their 420-vacations?
