Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A House committee voted Monday night to approve a measure that would make possession of less than one ounce of marijuana punishable by a fine of up to $250 rather than jail time.
The approval comes just three days after the same committee voted to kill this and two similar bills. The bill's author Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, said he had a long conversation Friday with Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, the committee chairman, about his concerns and amended the bill to address some of them.
The amended proposal provides an alternative punishment for indigent offenders, allowing them to complete up to 10 hours of community service instead of paying the fine. It also provides a defense for people caught with drug paraphernalia.
Herrero brought the measure up for reconsideration Monday night and changed his vote from 'nay' to 'aye'. The chairman couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
Scoring a hearing by the full House will be the bill's next hurdle. Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, who leads the committee that makes the schedule, said at this point in the session it will be difficult to get the bill in under the wire.
"I think we need to give it a good hearing and review it," Hunter said. "But for any subject it's going to be tough."
House and Senate committees approved a different marijuana-related bill Tuesday that would allow patients to treat their intractable epilepsy with cannabis oil that is low in THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
Proposals to legalize medical and recreational marijuana have been stalled in committees.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Hope restored for bill that would reduce penalties for marijuana possession | | Dallas Morning News
Author: Brittney Martin
Contact: Dallas Morning News
Photo Credit: AP Photo/News Herald, Patti Blake
Website: Trail Blazers Blog | Dallas Morning News
The approval comes just three days after the same committee voted to kill this and two similar bills. The bill's author Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, said he had a long conversation Friday with Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, the committee chairman, about his concerns and amended the bill to address some of them.
The amended proposal provides an alternative punishment for indigent offenders, allowing them to complete up to 10 hours of community service instead of paying the fine. It also provides a defense for people caught with drug paraphernalia.
Herrero brought the measure up for reconsideration Monday night and changed his vote from 'nay' to 'aye'. The chairman couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
Scoring a hearing by the full House will be the bill's next hurdle. Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, who leads the committee that makes the schedule, said at this point in the session it will be difficult to get the bill in under the wire.
"I think we need to give it a good hearing and review it," Hunter said. "But for any subject it's going to be tough."
House and Senate committees approved a different marijuana-related bill Tuesday that would allow patients to treat their intractable epilepsy with cannabis oil that is low in THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
Proposals to legalize medical and recreational marijuana have been stalled in committees.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Hope restored for bill that would reduce penalties for marijuana possession | | Dallas Morning News
Author: Brittney Martin
Contact: Dallas Morning News
Photo Credit: AP Photo/News Herald, Patti Blake
Website: Trail Blazers Blog | Dallas Morning News
