HB 218 Passes the House

Legislation that reduces penalties for possession of cannabis flower and concentrates has been passed by the Texas House of Representatives by a voice vote. The bill will still have a third reading, which is a formality, before it heads to the Senate.

I am excited to see our priority legislation continuing to advance. The two previous versions of this bill had already passed the chamber in the previous session. The House’s continued support for penalty reduction is heartening. We do have more work to do as it heads to the Senate, so I encourage my fellow Texans to reach out to their Senators to encourage their backing as it moves through the legislative process.

Jax James, Executive Director of Texas NORML.

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 charges to remove it from their criminal record.

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