Ex Parte Colten Adam

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: March 18, 2020
• Docket: 10-19-00177-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

No. 10-19-00177-CR

EX PARTE COLTEN ADAM

From the 85th District Court Brazos County, Texas Trial Court No. 16-03532-CRF-85

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Appellant, Colten Adam, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled

substance—tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”)—in an amount of one gram or more but less

than four grams. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 481.116(c) (West 2017). Adam

filed a pretrial application for writ of habeas corpus, arguing that sections 481.103, 481.113

and 481.116 of the Texas Health and Safety Code are unconstitutional on their face. See

id. §§ 481.103, .113, .116 (West 2017). Adam appeals from the trial court’s order denying

relief. We affirm. I. ANALYSIS

In his sole issue on appeal, Adam argues that the trial court abused its discretion

by denying his pretrial application for writ of habeas corpus because the blanket ban of

THC is not rationally related to any legitimate government purpose, the disparity in

punishment between THC and plant-form marihuana violates the Due Process Clause of

the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, and because the

ban on THC violates the Dormant Commerce Clause and the fundamental right to travel

for United States citizens using marihuana for medical purposes.

a. Cognizable Claims in a Pretrial Writ of Habeas Corpus

Pretrial habeas is an “extraordinary remedy” used to challenge the legality of one’s

restraint, and appellate courts should be careful to ensure that it is not “misused to secure

pretrial appellate review of matters that in actual fact should not be put before appellate

courts at the pretrial stage.” Ex parte Ellis, 309 S.W.3d 71, 79 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010); see

Ex parte Barnett, 424 S.W.3d 809, 810 (Tex. App.—Waco 2014, no pet.). Whether a claim

is even cognizable on pretrial habeas is a threshold issue that should be addressed before

the merits of the claim may be resolved. See Ex parte Ellis, 309 S.W.3d at 79; see also Ex

parte Barnett, 424 S.W.3d at 810. When determining whether an issue is cognizable by

pretrial habeas, courts consider a variety of factors, including whether the rights

underlying the claims would be effectively undermined if not vindicated before trial and

whether the alleged defect would bring into question the trial court’s power to proceed.

Ex parte Adam Page 2 Ex parte Perry, 483 S.W.3d 884, 895-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016); see Ex parte Weise, 55 S.W.3d

617, 619 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). “Neither a trial court nor an appellate court should

entertain an application for writ of habeas corpus when there is an adequate remedy by

appeal.” Ex parte Weise, 55 S.W.3d at 619; see Ex parte Carter, 514 S.W.3d 776, 785 (Tex.

App.—Austin 2017, pet. ref’d).

Pretrial habeas is not available to test the sufficiency of the charging instrument or

to construe the meaning and application of the statute defining the offense charged. Ex

parte Ellis, 309 S.W.3d at 79. Pretrial habeas can be used to bring a facial challenge to the

constitutionality of the statute that defines the offense, but may not be used to advance

an “as applied” challenge. Id.

Generally, a claim is cognizable in a pretrial writ of habeas corpus if, resolved in

the defendant’s favor, it would deprive the trial court of the power to proceed and result

in the applicant’s immediate release. Ex parte Smith, 185 S.W.3d 887, 892 (Tex. Crim. App.

2006); see Ex parte Barnett, 424 S.W.3d at 810. When an applicant contends that a criminal

statute is facially unconstitutional, he is contending that there is no valid statute and that

the charging instrument is therefore void. Ex parte Weise, 55 S.W.3d at 620.

b. Adam’s Challenge to Section 481.113 of the Texas Health and Safety Code

At the outset, we note that the indictment in this case shows that Adam was

charged only with unlawful possession of a controlled substance under section 481.116

of the Texas Health and Safety Code. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 481.116.

Ex parte Adam Page 3 There is nothing in the record demonstrating that Adam was charged by indictment with

manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance under section 481.113 of the Texas

Health and Safety Code. See id. § 481.113. The alleged unconstitutionality of section

481.113 of the Texas Health and Safety Code does not render the charging instrument

against Adam—based on a violation of section 481.116 of the Texas Health and Safety

Code—void. As such, a ruling in Adam’s favor would not result in his release from the

restraint imposed by the pending charge of unlawful possession of a Penalty Group 2

controlled substance under section 481.116 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. See Ex

parte Weise, 55 S.W.3d at 620; Ex parte Barnett, 424 S.W.3d at 810; see also Ex parte Taylor,

No. 03-16-00689-CR, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 10008, at *9 (Tex. App.—Austin Oct. 26, 2017,

pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (“The alleged unconstitutionality of

Penal Code section 21.16(c) does not render the charging instrument against appellant—

based on violations of Penal Code section 43.26(a)—void. Thus, a ruling in appellant’s

favor would not result in his release from the restraint imposed by the pending charges

of possession of child pornography.”). Therefore, we do not review the issue as it relates

to section 481.113 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.

c. Adam’s Challenge to Sections 481.103 and 481.116 of the Texas Health and Safety Code

With regard to Adam’s challenges to section 481.103 and 481.116 of the Texas

Health and Safety Code, we note that section 481.103 is the listing of Penalty Group 2

substances, which includes THC, and section 481.116 criminalizes the possession of Ex parte Adam Page 4 controlled substances, including those contained in Penalty Group 2. See TEX. HEALTH &

SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 481.103, .116. Therefore, it appears that the true focus of Adam’s

complaints is on section 481.116 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.

1. Applicable Law

We review a trial court’s ruling on a pretrial writ of habeas corpus for an abuse of

discretion. Kniatt v. State, 206 S.W.3d 657, 664 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006); see Ex parte Arango,

518 S.W.3d 916, 923 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017, pet. ref’d). In conducting this

review, we view the facts in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling. See Kniatt,

206 S.W.3d at 664; see also Ex parte Arango, 518 S.W.3d at 924.

To prevail on a facial challenge, a party must establish that the statute always

operates unconstitutionally in all possible circumstances. State v. Rosseau, 396 S.W.3d 550,

557 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). A facial challenge to a statute is the most difficult challenge

to mount successfully because the challenger must establish that no set of circumstances

exists under which the statute will be valid. Santikos v. State, 836 S.W.2d 631, 633 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1992).

Whether a statute is facially unconstitutional is a question of law that we review

de novo. Ex parte Lo, 424 S.W.3d 10, 14 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). When the constitutionality

of a statute is attacked, we begin with the presumption that the statute is valid and that

the legislature has not acted unreasonably or arbitrarily. Id. at 14-15. The burden

normally rests upon the person challenging the statute to establish its unconstitutionality.

Ex parte Adam Page 5 Id. at 15. In the absence of contrary evidence, we will presume the legislature acted in a

constitutionally-sound fashion. Rodriguez v. State, 93 S.W.3d 60, 69 (Tex. Crim. App.

2002).

2. The Rational-Basis Test

In a substantive due-process analysis, we determine whether the claimant had a

protected liberty interest, and if so, whether the government deprived him of such

interest arbitrarily and capriciously. See Ex parte Morales, 212 S.W.3d 483, 493-94 (Tex.

App.—Austin 2006, pet. ref’d); Scott v. State, 36 S.W.3d 240, 241 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st

Dist.] 2001, pet. ref’d); see also Ex parte Kinnett, No. AP-75,611, 2008 Tex. Crim. App.

Unpub. LEXIS 122, at **7-8 (Tex. Crim. App. Feb. 13, 2008) (not designated for

publication). If a fundamental right is not implicated, substantive due process requires

only a rational relationship between a legitimate state interest and the statute. See Ex parte

Morales, 212 S.W.3d at 493-94; Scott, 36 S.W.3d at 241; see also Ex parte Kinnett, 2008 Tex.

Crim. App. Unpub. LEXIS 122, at **7-8.

Both parties agree that the rational-basis test applies in this matter. On appeal,

Adam asserts that the blanket ban of THC is not rationally related to any legitimate

government purpose. We disagree. The State has a legitimate interest in regulating drug

possession for the health and welfare of its citizens. See 21 U.S.C. § 801(2) (noting that,

with respect to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, “[t]he illegal importation,

manufacture, distribution, and possession and improper use of controlled substances

Ex parte Adam Page 6 have a substantial and detrimental effect on the health and general welfare of the

American people”); Daniels v. State, 754 S.W.2d 214, 220 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988) (noting

that the Texas Controlled Substances Act is derived from the Uniform Controlled

Substances Act); Ingram v. State, 124 S.W.3d 672, 677 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2003, no pet.)

(“Protection of the public health, safety, morals, or some other phase of the general

welfare is a legitimate state interest.” (citation omitted)); see also Ex parte Kinnett, 2008 Tex.

Crim. App. Unpub. LEXIS 122, at *11 (“The state has an interest in deterring and

punishing possession and manufacture of illegal drugs . . . .”).

Indeed, as highlighted by the testimony of Kenneth Lester Malamud, M.D.,

Adam’s witness at the hearing on his pretrial habeas, there are many risks associated with

ingesting THC, which includes harmful byproducts from smoking marihuana (the

creation of benzyne, toluene, and carbon monoxide—“all bad things”); illnesses

associated with marihuana use (cannabis hyperemesis syndrome that results in an

emergency-room visit for being “very, very nauseated and continues the nausea and

vomiting”); psychosis that could result from marihuana use; side effects of marihuana

use (dizziness, altered body movements, altering of the senses, and numbness); the fact

that commercially-available marihuana is more concentrated that thirty years ago; and

that THC ingestion could result in hallucinations.1 Dr. Malamud also admitted that the

1 Dr. Malamud explained that THC is contained in marihuana and that extracted THC is more potent than that found in plant form.

Ex parte Adam Page 7 process for extracting THC from marihuana plants using butane can be dangerous,

resulting in someone “wind[ing] up in flames.” The dangers outlined by Dr. Malamud

demonstrate the legitimacy of the State’s interest in regulating THC for the health and

welfare of its citizens. See Estes v. State, 546 S.W.3d 691, 698 (Tex. Crim. App. 2018)

(“Above all, a court should spurn any attempt to turn rational-basis review into a debate

over the wisdom, eloquence, or efficacy of the law in question. As its name would

suggest, rational-basis review should focus solely on the rationality of the law or state

action. Should we determine that the State has invoked a legitimate governmental

purpose and, in enforcing its law, has charted a course that is rationally related to it, our

inquiry is at an end.” (internal citations & quotations omitted)). We therefore conclude

that section 481.116, which criminalizes possession of controlled substances, bears a

rational relationship to the legitimate State interest of deterring and punishing possession

of illegal drugs for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this State. See

Ingram, 124 S.W.3d at 677; see also Ex parte Kinnett, 2008 Tex. Crim. App. Unpub. LEXIS

122, at *11.

3. Due Process and the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution

Next, Adam argues that the Texas Controlled Substances Act violates due process

under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. In

making this argument, Adam compares THC to marihuana and complains about

disparities in punishment related to possession of THC, marihuana, and cannabis-related Ex parte Adam Page 8 products. Adam admits in his brief, and Dr. Malamud acknowledges, that each of the

aforementioned products have different potencies. THC is the most potent. Again, as

Dr. Malamud acknowledged, along with stronger potency of THC comes more severe

dangers, consequences, and side effects. This accounts for differences in punishment

regarding possession of the different products. Regardless, as mentioned earlier, the

State has a legitimate interest in deterring and punishing possession and manufacture of

illegal drugs for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this State. See

Ingram, 124 S.W.3d at 677; see also Ex parte Kinnett, 2008 Tex. Crim. App. Unpub. LEXIS

122, at *11. And because of the varying potencies of the aforementioned products, we

conclude that the Legislature had a rational basis for proscribing different penalties.

4. The Dormant Commerce Clause and a Person’s Right to Travel

Finally, Adam asserts that the Texas Controlled Substances Act violates the

Dormant Commerce Clause and a person’s right to travel for citizens using medical

marihuana. At the outset, we note that Adam’s entire discussion on this point centers on

medical marihuana, which is not at issue in this case. See Shaffer v. State, 184 S.W.3d 353,

364 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006, pet. ref’d) (noting that, even in a facial challenge to a

statute, “[b]ecause a statute may be valid as applied to one set of facts and invalid as

applied to another, it is incumbent upon the appellant to first show that in its operation

the statute is unconstitutional as to him in his situation; that it may be unconstitutional

as to others is not sufficient.” (citing Santikos, 836 S.W.2d at 633; Fluellen v. State, 104

Ex parte Adam Page 9 S.W.3d 152, 167 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.))). Because there are no allegations

that Adam is being prosecuted in this case for using medical marihuana, we cannot say

that Adam has shown that, in its operation, the complained-of statute is unconstitutional

as to him. See id. Simply relying on the fact that the statute may be unconstitutional as

to others is not sufficient. See id. Therefore, given the above, we conclude that Adam

lacks standing to argue that the Texas Controlled Substances Act would be

unconstitutional if applied to third parties in hypothetical situations, such as those

traveling across state lines with medical marihuana. See id.; see also Santikos, 836 S.W.2d

at 633.

Based on the foregoing, we hold that Adam’s facial constitutional challenge to

section 481.116 of the Texas Health and Safety Code fails because he cannot overcome the

presumption that the statute is valid; that the legislature acted reasonably; and that no

set of circumstances exists under which the statute will be valid. See Ex parte Lo, 424

S.W.3d at 14-15; see also Santikos, 836 S.W.2d at 633. Accordingly, viewing the facts in the

light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling, we cannot say that the trial court abused

its discretion by denying Adam’s pretrial writ of habeas corpus. See Kniatt, 206 S.W.3d

at 664; see also Ex parte Arango, 518 S.W.3d at 923. We overrule Adam’s sole issue on

appeal.

II. CONCLUSION

We affirm the trial court’s order denying Adam’s pretrial writ of habeas corpus.

Ex parte Adam Page 10 JOHN E. NEILL Justice

Before Chief Justice Gray, Justice Davis, and Justice Neill Affirmed Opinion delivered and filed March 18, 2020 Do not publish [CR25]

Ex parte Adam Page 11