With the legalization of medicinal and recreational marijuana in other states, a local organization is pushing Texas lawmakers to follow suit.

Josh Schimberg is the Executive Director for Texas Norml, Natl Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws. He says it's harder for teens to buy cigarettes and alcohol than it is to get pot, "The best way to protect children from marijuana use is to legalize it, regulate it, put it behind a store front where people ask for identification to acquire it."

Schimberg says legalization would also free up taxpayer money spent on incarcerating tens-of-thousands of Texans annually for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He says.he has no delusions Texas lawmakers will actually do it this session, but he is hopeful they'll pass a bill that eliminates the jailtime for possession of under an ounce.