FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Contact: Violet Cavendish
vcavendish@mpp.org

HB 334 was introduced in the special legislative session and would replace criminal penalties for low-level marijuana possession with a civil citation

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Chairman Joe Moody held a public hearing to discuss reducing state marijuana possession penalties on Wednesday and to support HB 334, which was introduced by Chairman Moody in the special legislative session in July.

HB 334 would make possession of a small amount of marijuana a civil citation punishable by a $250 fine but not a criminal conviction; courts can allow some of the fine to be paid off through the offender taking drug education courses or doing community service. For a third offense, the civil penalty must include a drug education requirement. On a fourth offense, a prosecutor can proceed with a Class C misdemeanor instead of a civil citation.

“This week's hearing on drug enforcement reform is another step in the ongoing effort to right-size our drug penalties and be smarter on the issue,” said Chairman Moody. “It's something we've been working on and will continue to work on through the interim, into the next session, and beyond for as long as it takes. I know we can do better, and I'll keep fighting for that.”

Chairman Moody’s efforts have continued to be recognized by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, which gave him their Law and Order Award the past three sessions, and by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, which named him ‘Representative of the Year’ last session.

“Most Texans oppose current penalties for marijuana possession,” said Nick Novello, an active duty Dallas police officer with 35 years of experience. “Enforcing unpopular and unreasonable laws creates unnecessary hostility between law enforcement and the people in our communities.”

More than 60,000 Texans are arrested for marijuana possession annually, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Advocates assert that this distracts law enforcement and prosecutors from priorities like combating violent crime, which is on the rise in Texas. A marijuana conviction can not only result in jail time, but carries collateral consequences and can make it difficult to find employment, obtain public housing, or qualify for student loans.

“Marijuana policy reform is coming to Texas sooner rather than later,” said Heather Fazio, Texas political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. “There is no reason to let this year’s session end without voting on this bill. Waiting until 2019 will only result in wasted law enforcement resources and tens of thousands of Texans being saddled with a criminal record for using a substance that is safer than alcohol.”

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Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy is a broad coalition of organizations, activists, and community leaders dedicated to realizing effective, efficient, and evidence-based marijuana policies in Texas. For more information, visit https://www.TexasMarijuanaPolicy.org.

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Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization. MPP has played a central role in passing dozens of cannabis policy reforms in states across the country, including 14 successful cannabis legalization campaigns, and also works to advance federal reforms.

Visit www.mpp.org for more information.