Texas Rep Calls for Full Decriminalization

Recently, legislation promoting decriminalization has been
proposed for Texas in 2015. This would be a huge step forward for Texas, and a
counter to the strict policies they currently have in place.  

This new law would make the possession of less than an ounce
only punishable by a hundred dollar fine, which would not count as a criminal
conviction. This is currently much more lenient than the current law, which
allows for the penalty of a class B Misdemeanor, a $2,000 fine, and up to six
months in jail, even for those who are in possession of less than two ounces.

The bill has been proposed by Joe Moody, a Democrat out of
El Paso, Texas. “Our current marijuana policy in Texas just isn’t working,”
Representative Moody stated, as reported by The
Dallas Observer. “We need a new approach that allows us to more effectively
utilize our limited criminal justice resources. This legislation is a much-needed
step in the right direction.”

This new law, known as House Bill 507, would make the arrest
of anyone with a small amount of cannabis completely illegal. Also, for those
with low incomes who would have trouble affording the $100 fine, there would be
an option to avoid the fine entirely and instead do a small amount of community
service. If this law is approved, it would go into effect on Sept. 1, 2015.

While this is not full legalization, and still allows for
strict punishments for those with large amounts for cannabis and minor punishments
for those with a small amount, it is a great deal better than life-ruining jail
time and crippling fines for just being in possession of a small amount of the
substance. Also, this could serve as a next step in the gradual legalization of
cannabis in Texas.