HB 218 Passes Committee

Legislation which would reduce penalties for possession of cannabis flower and concentrates has passed out of committee!

HB 218, authored by Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso, advanced unanimously by the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. It now heads to the Calendars Committee to be scheduled for consideration by the full Texas House of Representatives.

Bill Highlights:

• Possessing up to one ounce of cannabis or cannabis concentrates would be reduced to a Class C misdemeanor, with no jail time and a fine of no more than $500. Under existing law, possession of even the smallest amount of cannabis is a Class B misdemeanor, which can carry up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000. Possession of any amount of cannabis concentrates is a felony, which carries a minimum jail term of between 180 days and two years.
  
• Possession of up to two ounces would not result in an arrest if that was the only violation of the law. Currently anyone found in possession of any amount of cannabis is arrested and taken to jail in most jurisdictions.
  
• Sets up an expungement process for possession of up to two ounces with a fee of $30 if certain conditions are met. This allows anyone with a low level marijuana possession conviction to remove it from their criminal record.

Contact your representative and ask them to vote in favor of HB 218! Take Action: texasnorml.org/decriminalization

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