A week after the tidal wave of legalization initiatives swept the nation in November 2016, HB 81, a bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession was introduced in the Texas House of Representatives by Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso. It would remove the current criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and replace them with a civil citation and a fine.
Sen. Jose Rodríguez, also of El Paso, has introduced a Senate companion bill, SB 170.
The House Bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs), would make possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a non-criminal offense punishable by a fine of $250. Under current law, possesson of two ounces or less is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a $2,000 fine and 180 days in jail.
This is the second time Rep. Moody has introduced legislation to remove criminal penalties for simple possession.
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Sen. Jose Rodríguez, also of El Paso, has introduced a Senate companion bill, SB 170.
The House Bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs), would make possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a non-criminal offense punishable by a fine of $250. Under current law, possesson of two ounces or less is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a $2,000 fine and 180 days in jail.
This is the second time Rep. Moody has introduced legislation to remove criminal penalties for simple possession.
Read more
