Texas lawmakers got down to business on Monday when it came to considering marijuana legislation.
Lawmakers in three House committees scheduled to hold hearings on 11 separate pieces of cannabis legislation.
It was only a week ago that a Texas House committee approved a marijuana decriminalization bill that would make possession of one ounce or less punishable by a $250 fine with no jail time. The bill is now waiting placement on the House calendar for a full floor vote.
Lawmakers in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will take testimony on five other bills. They are:
HB 335: The legislation would make possession of one ounce or less a Class C misdemeanor, as opposed to a Class B misdemeanor.
HB 371: Possession of one ounce of less of cannabis would be a Class C misdemeanor under the bill.
HB 753: Possession of .35 ounces (or about ten grams) of marijuana a Class C misdemeanor.
HB 1206: Possession of two ounces or less of cannabis would be a Class C misdemeanor. It also lowers penalties for higher levels of possession, making possession of five pounds or less a Class A misdemeanor instead of a state jail felony, for example.
HB 2518: Possession of two ounces of less would be a Class C misdemeanor under the bill. Penalties for possession of marijuana over two ounces would remain in place.
HJR 108: The joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would authorize the possession, cultivation and sale of marijuana for personal use.
“We’re grateful to see so many legislators prioritizing marijuana law reform and understanding that current policies are costly and ineffective,” said Heather Fazio, the director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy.
“We’re working to ensure any passing measure includes provisions to eliminate the threat of arrest, jail time and permanent criminal record for low-level marijuana possession.”
“A criminal record for even a small amount of marijuana follows a person for life, hindering their access to education, employment and housing,” she added.
“This is especially important considering that high school and college age Texans make up the majority of arrests every year. We’re saddling our young people with criminal records and causing more harm to their lives than marijuana itself ever could.”
