Legislative Effort Aims To Reduce The State Penalty For Marijuana Possession

Some counties have already reduced penalties for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. The bill filed in the House would reduce the penalty, statewide, from a Class B misdemeanor, to a Class C misdemeanor.

By Ryan PoppeMarch 6, 2019 9:30 am, , ,

From Texas Public Radio:

Texas leads the nation in arrests for possessing small amounts of marijuana. According to the most recent statistics available, there were 60,000 arrests in 2016 over possession of less than an ounce of the drug.

California, New York and Florida — states with populations similar to Texas — averaged 16,000 arrests or less. In recent years those states passed legislation decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. A legislative effort at the State Capitol aims to do the same in Texas.

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