Will Texas be the next state to decriminalize marijuana? During the elections this November, voters in eight states passed legalization laws.
As The International Business Times reports,this has opened the door for cannabis advocates to push for similar laws in other states. On Nov. 5, the first day of bill filling for the 2017 legislative season, Texas lawmakers filed several requests to decriminalize pot.
In January, when legislators meet, they’ll consider reducing charges for marijuana possession and making possession a minor infraction. If the law passes, being caught with the drug will mean a $250 fine instead of jail time and a criminal record.
Currently in Texas, the punishment for holding less than two ounces is a misdemeanor charge and up to 180 days in jail. If you’re caught with between two and four ounces, it can mean a year in jail. Possessing more than four ounces of cannabis is a felony, and can result in a jail sentence of up to 99 years.