Opinion

Getters v. State

  • 170 Tex. Crim. 331
  • 340 S.W.2d 806
  • 1960 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 2204
Court
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
Filed
Nov 2, 1960
Status
Published
Author
Woodley
On the bench
Woodley
Cited by
5 cases
Authority
More cited than 10.6%

The opinion

ON appellant’s motion for rehearing

WOODLEY, Judge.

The motion for rehearing is predicated upon the contention that marihuana seed is not commonly used for smoking, and is to be excluded in determining whether the amount of marihuana found was sufficient under Pelham v. State, 164 Tex. Cr. R. 226 , 298 S.W. 2d 171 .

If we agreed with this, then to sustain appellant’s position we would be required to further hold that the state was under the burden of proving that the marihuana seed was not sterilized but was viable and would germinate, if planted.

The writer dissented in Pelham v. State and the later case of Johnson v. State, 165 Tex. Cr. Rep. 158, 305 S.W. 2d 361 . However, the majority holding was upon the assumption that the only use commonly made of marihuana is to smoke it in cigarettes. The seed which are specifically included in the definition of marihuana and the plant Cannabis Sativa L. are not restricted to that use, though the officers testified they were so commonly used.

The Uniform Narcotic Drug Act, Art. 725b V.A.P.C., contains no reference to marihuana seed being viable or sterilized. If this characteristic was controlling, it was a defense in the nature of an excuse, and the burden of proof was on the appellant under Section 21 of said Art. 725b V.A.P.C.

Appellant’s motion for rehearing is overruled.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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