NORML is pleased to announce that House Bill 902

[Scotty-b]

Texas Legislature Considers Fine-Only Penalties For Marijuana
NORML is pleased to announce that House Bill 902, an act to reduce the penalties for the possession of up to ounce of marijuana to fine-only offense, is before the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.



As introduced, HB 902 seeks to amend minor marijuana possession penalties to a Class C misdemeanor -- punishable by a maximum fine of $500, but no jail time. Under current law, marijuana possession is classified as a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2000 fine.



If enacted, House Bill 902 would ensure that tens of thousands of otherwise law-abiding Texans would no longer be subject to arrest and possible incarceration. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, over 60,000 Texans are arrested on marijuana possession charges annually. Half of these defendants are under 25 years of age. It makes no sense to saddle these young people with a criminal arrest record or to put them in jail.



Please take a moment today to contact your elected state representative and urge him or her to support HB 902. For your convenience, a pre-written letter will be e-mailed to your elected officials when you enter your contact information below.



To learn more about this measure and other legislative efforts in Texas, please contact Texas NORML.



Thank you for supporting NORML's marijuana law reform efforts in Texas.

take action here ************************************************** ********************

http://capwiz. com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12823431

[Wait,What?]

Originally Posted by Scotty-b

It makes no sense to saddle these young people with a criminal arrest record or to put them in jail.

but they are doing something illegal, they know its illegal its not like its a new law stating anything different, you take a risk in everything you against the law, why should this be any different? (I'm not against pot, I'm looking at it as a breaking the law kinda thing) dont get caught simple soulution, dont be stupid out where its noticed right?

[johnny861]

Originally Posted by Wait,What?

but they are doing something illegal, they know its illegal its not like its a new law stating anything different, you take a risk in everything you against the law, why should this be any different? (I'm not against pot, I'm looking at it as a breaking the law kinda thing) dont get caught simple soulution, dont be stupid out where its noticed right?

Do you ever speed on public roads? Technically, you are breaking the law if you do. Imagine if speeding was considered a Class B Misdemeanor, instead of a class C. All those people incarcerated for what? And the criminal arrest record they will carry with them, unless they somehow manage to expunge their records.

These are otherwise law abiding citizens, except for the occaisional speeding on the highways.

I think there are circumstances where some laws should carry lessor penalties than others.

I had a friend that had a marijuana posession charge. It took him years to try and get his record sealed and caused him grief, in his personal life, his professional life, etc. And for what? being a little stupid when he was young?

I can understand if he had comitted some violent offense, but smoking a little pot? To me that seems like \less of a crime than speeding.

[C-fer]

Originally Posted by Wait,What?

but they are doing something illegal, they know its illegal its not like its a new law stating anything different, you take a risk in everything you against the law, why should this be any different? (I'm not against pot, I'm looking at it as a breaking the law kinda thing) dont get caught simple soulution, dont be stupid out where its noticed right?

And it would still be illegal if it was passed. The penalty would be lighter though.
Remember, it was once illegal to sell alcohol in this nation too.
Gotta take baby steps...

[ladd b]

They are also bringing House bill 164 to the table too.

[hepkatmama]

repeal prohibition!!!

free up jail space for violent offenders!!

yes please.

[ladd b]

Originally Posted by hepkatmama

repeal prohibition!!!

free up jail space for violent offenders!!

yes please.

This IS the answer.

[>]

So do potheads who has spent time in jail, in the past, get reparations?

[C-fer]

Originally Posted by >

So do potheads who has spent time in jail, in the past, get reparations?

I don't see why they would.

[hepkatmama]

Originally Posted by >

So do potheads who has spent time in jail, in the past, get reparations?

death row inmates who are granted appeal don't get reparations either.

you get to move forward. that should be enough for anybody.

damn game show culture. /shakes fist

[>]

Originally Posted by DjKrispy

I don't see why they would.

Or have their record expunged or what have you. If they went to jail for something that is now not illegal, I think their records should be clean.

[C-fer]

Originally Posted by >

Or have their record expunged or what have you. If they went to jail for something that is now not illegal, I think their records should be clean.

It was illegal at the time the crime was committed. I think it's very rare that they grandfather previous convictions when they pass laws like this.
However the Governor could pardon people who are currently locked up for the offense if the bill was passed, if he wanted.
Getting it off their record is a different story...
Xian would know better than I on this, but I'm 99.9% sure it would stay on there.

[Scotty-b]

I TOO SUFFER FROM THIS CONVICTION i GOT BUSTED WITH A QTR OF GOOD RED HAIR WHEN I WAS MAKING OUT WITH MY GF WHEN I WAS 21 AND NOW I AM 33 AND THE CHARGE IS STILL HAUNTING ME.

__________________________________________________ _______________
PEOPLE ITS JUST GRASS NOT XANAX (MAN MADE DRUG)
GOD MADE THIS NOT MAN SO MAN HAS NO RIGHT TO MAKE LAWS AGAINST SOMETHING THAT GROWS IN THE WILD.
THE REASON TEXAS WILL BE THE LAST TO DE-CRIME HERB IS BECAUSE WE WERE THE ONE OF THE FIRST TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL BECAUSE THE STATE WANTED TO TARGET THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AT THE TIME IN TEXAS SO MOST OF THE TROUBLES THAT POTHEADS GO THREW IS BECAUSE OF TEXAS AND THEIR RACISM.

[C-fer]

Ohhh, he typed in all caps, his opinion must be important so I shall read it and take it to heart.

[LaunchPaD]

lol@ good redhair