Justice for Jacob Lavoro: A Look at Texas’ Mad Drug Laws

by Nubia Legarda

The state of Texas makes the spotlight yet again for its unjust drug laws.

Earlier in April, Williamson County police officers arrested 19 year old Jacob Lavoro and his 21 year old girlfriend, Kaci Marie Hill for the production of “special” brownies. Jacob is currently facing five to 99 years in prison, while Kaci faces less severe charges. It all began when a neighbor called the authorities because she smelled marijuana at the apartment complex. Upon knocking on Jacob’s door, investigators failed to identify themselves, then proceeded to enter and search the residence without consent.

The penalty is so high in this case because authorities are weighing in not just the amount of hash oil, but also all of the ingredients used to make the brownies, which include the milk, eggs, and brownie mix. The wonderful state of Texas law dictates that possession of even less than a gram of hash oil is a felony. Thus, the penalties for possession of hash are exponentially worse and by far, more inhumane than possession of raw cannabis which, depending on the amount, could be a misdemeanor.

This case, among others, highlights the complete futility and incompetence of the war on drugs, which rather than help the community,  relegates so many citizens to a life of confinement in U.S. prisons for non-violent offenses. This case reveals the immorality and injustice of drug laws which are now threatening to destroy the life of a young man with no criminal background.

Upon meeting Jacob and Kaci at a Texas NORML meeting at Flamingo Cantina on Wednesday June 4th, one can see that they are your average young couple, with great hopes and aspirations for the future ahead of them. Failed drug policies are currently threatening the future of not just Jacob but many other U.S. Citizens throughout the nation, time and time again. Naturally, when I asked how they were doing, Jacob stated, “…not so great” and that he is scared but humbled by the amount of support people are showing nationwide. During the Texas NORML meeting, Texas citizens spoke about the need for better laws and the medicinal benefits veterans with PTSD could gain if only this plant were legal.  

Recently, gubernatorial candidate for the state of Texas, Wendy Davis, said the following regarding decriminalization in an interview with The Dallas Morning News: “We certainly have an opportunity to look at what other states are doing and watch and learn from that. I think Texas is in a position right now of being able to sit back a bit and watch to see how this is playing out in other arenas.”

Meanwhile, opponent Greg Abbot supports current drug policy stating that, “Legalizing drugs would encourage drug use, which affects every sector of society, straining our economy, our health care and criminal justice systems, and endangering the lives of future generations.” However, Governor Rick Perry did recently elaborate on his remarks regarding the issue by saying, “The idea that a kid has one marijuana cigarette and you send him to prison, where they can learn to really be a hardened criminal, is not thoughtful public policy.”

Here we are in Round Rock, just north of the Texas capital, where a fellow citizen under the age of 21 is facing time in prison for baking pot brownies and our gubernatorial candidates are playing the political game, testing the waters with their constituents. The nation is in dire need of sensible drug policies; forty years of a failed war on drugs, which is truly a war on people, has proved that current policies are not in society’s best interest.  While Greg Abbot refuses to discuss the failure of Texas drug policies, Wendy Davis is willing to take a look at other models, but Texas is not in a place to sit back and see how it all plays out, we need drug policy reform and we need it now. 

Jacob Lavoro is due back in court August 6th at 1:30 p.m. for a hearing. Texas citizens who can recognize the irrationality of this case organized a rally in support of Lavoro, Thursday, June 19th, coincidentally “Freedom Day” in the U.S., from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. to show support by peacefully demonstrating, wearing blue and “Justice for Jacob” t-shirts. The rally took place outside of the Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown, Texas.

Jacob’s attorney filed a motion in court to dismiss the evidence due to the fact that officers entered the apartment illegally. Several organizations across the nation are acting on behalf of the Texas teen. El Paso NORML hosted a bowling fundraiser at Fiesta Lanes, on Sunday, June 22nd, where all proceeds will be going to the defense funds for Jacob. Texas NORML in Austin is constantly organizing and always welcomes volunteers to help raise awareness, educate, and work towards legalization.

If you would like to show your support this petition here is circulating online asking that the charges be reduced to a misdemeanor. Fellow supporters can donate to his legal fund and find more information on the Facebook Page, Justice for Jacob Lavoro.