Under current Texas law, possession of small amounts of marijuana can result in up to $2,000 in fines, up to 180 days of jail time, and a conviction of a Class B Misdemeanor on your record just for the first offense.  And the law is used to disproportionately punish minority offenders.  When was the last time you heard about an upper-middle class white kid going to jail for holding a joint?

But now, the Texas Legislature is awash with bills to change the current laws on marijuana possession.  They range from complete decriminalization to making possession of small quantities essentially equivalent to a traffic violation.  Progress Texas gives an outline of the essential features of each bill.

Rep. Joe Moody’s (Democrat) Bill – HB 507

• The most effective civil penalties bill filed
• Changes possession of less than one ounce of marijuana to a civil penalty – similar to jaywalking or not wearing a seat belt
• Anything over one ounce of marijuana remains a class B misdemeanor

Rep. Harold Dutton’s (Democrat) Bill – HB 414

• Would change any marijuana possession less than one ounce to a Class C Misdemeanor
• Makes possession a simple ticketable offense you could pay
• Punishments increase if ticketed multiple times in a year

Rep. Gene Wu’s (Democrat) Bill – HB 325

• Possession of less than .35 ounces of marijuana becomes a Class C Misdemeanor
• Makes possession a simple ticketable offense you could pay
• Punishments increase if ticketed multiple times in a year

Rep. Senfronia Thompson’s (Democrat) Bill – HB 1115

• Rather than potentially being arrested when carrying up to four ounces of marijuana an officer will only give a citation; However, the person charged is still responsible for appearing in court at a later date.
• Does not reduce the penalty of marijuana possession (Class A or B misdemeanor), which can still result in jail time.