AUSTIN, Texas (WBAP/KLIF News) — An effort to reduce penalties for marijuana possession will be heard by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Monday.
House Bill 81, co-authored by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) and Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) would reduce the penalties for possession of up one ounce of marijuana, removing the threat of arrest and jail time and replacing them with a $250 civil fine. Currently, people found in possession with less than two ounces of pot can face up to six months in jail, a fine up to $2,000 and be left with a criminal record.
KVUE in Austin quotes retired Texas District Court Judge John Delaney arguing in favor of the bill, saying if the bill becomes law police, courts and taxpayers would all be relieved of time consuming and expensive procedures. “Each marijuana arrest uses about 2.5 hours of police time. With 60,000-70,000 people arrested in Texas annually, this is a significant amount of police time that could be devoted to patrolling residential neighborhoods and business locations and responding to emergency calls,” Delaney said.
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