Houston D.A Says It “Doesn’t Make Sense” To Prosecute Marijuana Offenses

“I’ve never felt good about putting marijuana users in the same jail cells as murderers,” – Houston D.A

Houston D.A Says It “Doesn’t Make Sense” To Prosecute Marijuana Offenses- The State of Texas as a whole is one of the most anti-marijuana states. The state does offer medical marijuana for those suffering from intractable epilepsy and other chronic diseases after passing the Compassionate Use Act in June 2015. However, those caught using or distributing marijuana without the proper identification can still face charges for carrying even the smallest amounts of weed.

Currently, in Texas, persons found with less than two ounces of marijuana can face a misdemeanor charge and up to 180 days in jail. Perpetrators caught with between two and four ounces of pot may be sentenced to at least a year in jail, while those caught with more than four ounces of marijuana face felony charges and jail sentences between two and 99 years.

Houston Texas

In Houston marijuana is illegal, but the enforcement of the the law is changing. Last week, Kim Ogg – the newly elected District Attorney of Houston’s New Harris County – vowed to uphold her campaign promise to reform marijuana laws.

enforcers want to enforce the law differently. Last week, Kim Ogg – the newly elected District Attorney of Houston’s New Harris County – vowed to uphold her campaign promise to reform marijuana laws. From Kim Oggs campaign site ‘Ogg’s marijuana platform reflects common sense drug prosecution policies that mirror the concerns of ordinary citizens who are tired of hearing that the police and prosecutors don’t have the time to investigate and prosecute home burglaries, or the resources to test backlogged rape kits. Ogg’s plan is to increase public safety by keeping law enforcement on the street instead of wasting time arresting those in possession of small amounts of marijuana.’

“Gangs and organized crime groups are running rampant in Harris County, and I want law enforcement to have the time and money necessary to dismantle those operations. Every time they arrest someone in possession of marijuana, police are off the streets for an average of four hours.” — Kim Ogg

“I’ve never felt good about putting marijuana users in the same jail cells as murderers,” Ogg said after being sworn into office last Monday. “It’s just not fair, it doesn’t make any sense, and our country is resoundingly against that.”So she vows to ensure that “all misdemeanor possession of marijuana cases will be diverted around jail.”

Houston’s new Police Chief, Art Acevedo, added that steps toward decriminalization could open the door to legalizing medical marijuana in Texas.

“I think you’ll have a really spirited but well-informed discussion, and at some point I could really foresee, in the future, marijuana and some other oils being legalized for medicinal purposes,” Chief Acevedo said. “It will probably be the first step in Texas.”

 

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