Austin – A coalition of liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans introduced a proposal Monday to make possession of a small amount of marijuana in Texas a civil infraction, instead of a crime.
House Bill 507, filed by state Rep. Joe Moody, would make those caught with an ounce of pot or less subject only to a $100 fine. Currently, some of those people could face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to to $2,000 and a criminal record.
Moody, D-El Paso, said during a news conference at the Capitol that the change would save thousands of mostly-minority Texans from a lifetime record while saving money through reduced jail costs. Similar moves in other states have shown that the policy would not increase marijuana usage, he said.
State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, unveils a bill to reduce criminal penalties for marijuana possession.
"A civil penalty is good government, and good government is always good for Texas," Moody said.
Ann Lee, executive director of the Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition, agreed, arguing that reducing penalties for drug violations is in line with the philosophy of conservatives who "stand for freedom."
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have taken jail time off the table for those caught with small amounts of marijuana, according to the coalition, but similar efforts have failed in Texas in the past. Any relaxation of marijuana laws will start as a longshot in next year's legislative session, in part due to fierce opposition from law enforcement groups.
Sheriff Chris Kirk, a spokesman for the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, told the Houston Chronicle last month that, "the sheriffs of Texas are going to bring all their influence to try to stop the legalization of marijuana at any level" next session.
Still, members of the coalition expressed confidence during the news conference. Moody said he has only heard positive feedback.
"I haven't heard a lot of the push back that you might expect," he said.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Ready To Go Headway Templates | Pixelus Maximus
Contact: RSS Feeds | Gazelle
Website: Coalition introduces bill to reduce penalties for marijuana possession | Gazelle
House Bill 507, filed by state Rep. Joe Moody, would make those caught with an ounce of pot or less subject only to a $100 fine. Currently, some of those people could face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to to $2,000 and a criminal record.
Moody, D-El Paso, said during a news conference at the Capitol that the change would save thousands of mostly-minority Texans from a lifetime record while saving money through reduced jail costs. Similar moves in other states have shown that the policy would not increase marijuana usage, he said.
State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, unveils a bill to reduce criminal penalties for marijuana possession.
"A civil penalty is good government, and good government is always good for Texas," Moody said.
Ann Lee, executive director of the Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition, agreed, arguing that reducing penalties for drug violations is in line with the philosophy of conservatives who "stand for freedom."
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have taken jail time off the table for those caught with small amounts of marijuana, according to the coalition, but similar efforts have failed in Texas in the past. Any relaxation of marijuana laws will start as a longshot in next year's legislative session, in part due to fierce opposition from law enforcement groups.
Sheriff Chris Kirk, a spokesman for the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, told the Houston Chronicle last month that, "the sheriffs of Texas are going to bring all their influence to try to stop the legalization of marijuana at any level" next session.
Still, members of the coalition expressed confidence during the news conference. Moody said he has only heard positive feedback.
"I haven't heard a lot of the push back that you might expect," he said.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Ready To Go Headway Templates | Pixelus Maximus
Contact: RSS Feeds | Gazelle
Website: Coalition introduces bill to reduce penalties for marijuana possession | Gazelle
