Lifestyle
Houston’s New Marijuana Policy Lowers the Offense for Small Quantities
Harris County started a new program on March 1st that lowers the offense for possessing less than four ounces of marijuana. Instead of jail time, offenders will now be able to take a class. KHOU writes, “Offenders must take a four-hour, $150 “Cognitive decision” class within 90 days. They will be arrested if they do not complete the course. Financial help will made available.”
On Wednesday, when the first day the new policy went into effect, nine people in the Houston area were caught with less than four ounces of marijuana. They were offered the option to take the class, and each person chose the new program over jail time.
The new rules don’t apply to those who are on bond or probation, caught dealing, engaging in other illegal activities or possessing the marijuana near a school. But the policy should help a large number of people committing a lesser crime, “They can get on with their life without a criminal conviction meanwhile the police can get on with their job to round up burglars and robbers,” First Assistant District Attorney David Mitcham said to ABC 13. Plus, the county can save roughly $26 million a year by not going through with small marijuana misdemeanors.
