january is national slavery and human trafficking prevention month, a sobering reminder that even as we enter the year 2014, people around the world continue to be victims of slavery and human trafficking. tragically, these horrendous crimes are occurring at an alarming rate in our own state. 25% of human trafficking victims are located in texas. i have introduced several pieces of legislation he is working to pass in the senate to help law enforcement track down and prosecute these criminals, and provide support for the victims of these crimes. the justice for victims of trafficking act this bill would create a deficit-neutral fund to increase support and protection for victims of human trafficking, and would assist law enforcement in targeting organized criminal networks and cartels involved in human trafficking. representative ted poe (r-tx) has introduced the bill in the u.s. house of representatives. the stop exploitation through trafficking act (sett) this bill will give prosecutors and child welfare agencies the tools they need to tackle domestic minor sex trafficking and help make sure victims of these horrific crimes receive the support they need, by ensuring that minors who are sold for sex aren’t prosecuted as defendants, but are instead recognized as victims. for more information about my efforts to assist human trafficking victims, please visit his website. for additional resources, please contact the national human trafficking resource center (nhtrc) online or at 1-888-373-7888.
cannabis is a schedule i drug in the united states. that means the government has designated the plant as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. no accepted medical use? there are scores of studies that say differently. rick simpson is a medical marijuana activist, and he has been on a crusade of healing. he considers cannabis to be the most medicinally active plant that humans can use on this planet. marijuana has been shown in some cases to effectively treat numerous types of cancer, improve immunity, and fight anxiety and pain.