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Marijuana: No More Automatic Arrest for Possession in Texas

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #492)
Consequences of Prohibition

As of September 1, people caught with up to a quarter-pound of marijuana in Texas will no longer automatically be arrested. Under HB 2391, a bill passed by the legislature and signed into law June 15 by Gov. Rick Perry (R), police will have the option of issuing a summons to appear for misdemeanor pot possession, as well as a number of other small-time offenses.

The measure was pushed by conservative legislators as a cost-cutting measure. "We want to get tough on crime, but we also want to get smart on crime," said state Rep. Jerry Madden (R), the bill's author. "Let's not spend a lot of taxpayers' money putting people in jail who don't need to be there," Madden told Fort Worth Star-Telegraph columnist Bud Kennedy last Saturday. "Let's give local police more discretion."

Possession of marijuana remains a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. But now, instead of using up valuable police time and jail space with marijuana and other misdemeanor offenders, police will have the discretion of just ordering them to show up before a magistrate within 48 hours. If they don't show, the magistrate can issue an arrest warrant.

Other offenses for which police can now issue summonses include petty theft, graffiti, and driving without a license.

"The idea was to free up more county jail space and law officers' time for violent offenders and sex offenders," said Marc Levin of the Austin-based Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative organization that lobbied for House Bill 2391. "We looked at how to save counties money. We always came back to the same answer: Take the low-level offenders out of the county jail," he told Kennedy.

Leave it to Texas to wise up about criminal justices priorities, even if just a bit. And it wasn't bleeding hearts, but bleating wallets that did it.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Comments

oldhippie (not verified)

After years of busting non-violent pot smokers for small amounts, Perry and company finally heeded to the people. Even if was for budget concerns, it still means alot to us Texans.

Fri, 06/29/2007 - 9:07pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by oldhippie (not verified)

One of my co workers on sat was pulled over, he gave the police officer permission to search his vehicle. He forgot he had a twenty hidden in the back seat. The brought the k nine unit out who sniffed something out but officers were unable to find any drugs or guns in the car. The officer impounded my guys car than dropped him of at the nearest pay phone where he than had to find a ride. He gave him ten minutes to desapear. The officer circled around exactly in ten minutes my guy still waiting for a ride was told to start walking or he was going to jail. This was at two o clock in the morning saturday night. The car is still not being released. They have aquired three hundred dollars worth of storage fees not. On top of that the car is not under his name. What can we do to help.

Mon, 10/15/2007 - 12:19pm Permalink
Shella Morris (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hello everyone on this forum, i am full of joy now in writing this article about how Dr Alex was able to bring my husband out of jail, it all started few months ago when my husband had quarrels with his company business partner, this issue was deeply so though for the both parties, at first when this case started my husband did not tell me not until it when the case was really though and serious, my husband after hold serious troubles and conflict with his business partner for many times they decided to take the case to court, and on the first sit this case was said to be arjorn, my husband took his lawyer and the lawyer told him not to worry that he was going to sit on the case, and we had to spend a huge amount of money to settle this case, but till to all on the second sit my husband was sentenced to jail, by the magistrate for 5years, when i went in research of this case i found out my husband was just innocent, so i started to try all means to bring my husband out from Jail, on my search on the internet i found out how Dr Alex Of ( [email protected] ) was able to help a lady whose husband has also be arrested for an unknown case, i had to email Dr Alex and told him about my trouble, he told me that everything will be okay, if only i have the faith in him, after all he told me he was going to cast a spell on my husband and after which my husband was going to come out from Jail, and his opponent will beg him to forgive them, true to the words Dr Alex told me my husband is back to me and we are living fine now, wow i am so happy i tried the spells of Dr Alex, Sir i am grateful for what you have done,, you can email him on [email protected] or call +2347036013351..
 

Sun, 06/08/2014 - 12:27am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by oldhippie (not verified)

I take it this means cops can still choose to arrest...my boyfriend was in a car two days ago with friends. They were pulled over for an expired registration, and the cop searched the vehicle/occupants - my boyfriend had a small amount on him and was arrested, as well as another person in the car. This was Williamson County - he had to spend the next 24 hours in jail and is now facing further problems since he was on probation for a DUI 2 years ago...I'm angry that the cop did this since it is now probably going to screw up his probation. Thanks a lot Williamson County.

Thu, 11/29/2007 - 11:51am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Wilco is realy bad about that. For a fact they take you in for less than a joint, and I heard they'll haul you in if they find a seed on your floor board

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 9:51pm Permalink
Jaye (not verified)

I was recently detained for the same thing. Is there any advice you could me? I am in the same thing, high school senior done everything right up until now. My future has been taken away from me. While people who give out names walk for free. I wasn't even read my rights as an American citizen, that's very important to me. 

Wed, 04/23/2014 - 2:06pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Even if it was based on financial concerns, it still has an underpinning of moral concerns. The thing is politicians feel a lot better when they can be seen as saving money, instead of soft on drugs and crime! By continuing the prohibition and putting sales in the hands of dealers, they assure there will be a supply available to teens, and younger kids, who cannot buy alcohol! Isn't Texas the state that has reported the "cheese" problem? They need to open their eyes! They are handing their dead children's heads, to the drug dealers, on platters, at a dollar a hit!! Drug dealers don't card!

You want to get the drugs out of the hands of our children, including teens? Then regulate it like alcohol and make it legal for adults! End the prohibition. And minimize the deaths!

Sat, 06/30/2007 - 11:45am Permalink
Althea Tremaine (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I agree, though law is not meant to uphold morality. It's meant to do justice in the world. Did you know that the only reason that marijuana was made illegal was because it was something that was enjoyed by immigrants? It was just another plot against people who were not born in the U.S. Furthermore, marijuana has no significant side-effects that will make it more dangerous than smoking tabacco.

Fri, 06/05/2009 - 11:09am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

They need to make is free and make everone do it. There be no war.

Mon, 07/02/2007 - 9:06pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

but no one should make anyone smoke. Free will, baby.

Mon, 07/02/2007 - 11:42pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Im coming back DFW 817

Great for Texas 1 step closer, marijuana should not be illegal the war on drug is not working never has never will. DEA should be shut down if the law was respectable !! aka the criminals !! will respect the law
but the law is not respectable so the law wont be followed legalize marijuana and other drugs.
tax it help the homeless and the poor.

Sun, 07/08/2007 - 9:20pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I got busted with foil paper and a lighter
they charged me with possesion of marijuana less than a ounce
thats bull shit
I dont mind the charge the judge fines you put you on probation and makes you go to rehab dui school many more thats crap rehab for marijuana lets get real united states law are not respectable.

Sun, 07/08/2007 - 9:36pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

When will our laws REALLY reflect the people's concern?

When will our laws be based on justice and NOT money?

When will our laws protect citizens instead of harm families and society at large? In other words, make our jails and prisons a place to put criminals not (non-violent, harmless) drug users!!!

In the past our laws have let child molesters and rapists go to free up space to house drug offenders.

Sun, 07/29/2007 - 12:00pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I agree, drug users dont belong in prison. Worst case some poor crack head needs help, not jail. I remember when they were setting violent offenders free for the sake of the B.S. war on drugs, I remember the B.S. videos about Dope(pot) in school, I remember this government as the one that let us get bombed by our own planes, who sat and watched thousands of innocent die in tragedy along the coast. And not to mention Aiding in the poor living conditions of those who could benefit from weed. They bark and howl that it is a drug and harmfull, but when i compare weed to ANY scripted drug, or even tylenol, weed hasnt any similar properties. But the stuff killing the lab rats is ok to approve by the FDA and deemed safe to humans ? WTF? We are in need of reform, at most levels of government. So it might just be in the hands of us after all. Of the people by the people for the people ? where?

just my thoughts
wolf×

Tue, 08/07/2007 - 4:07pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

A friend was pulled over in Williamson County by a county deputy because her tag light was out. Officer asked her did she have anything illegal in her car. He then searched her car and found a small amount of pot (less than a quarter ounce -- not pound but ounce.) Her car was impounded and she was arrested and spent the night in jail. This happened on 10/16/07. She now faces possible jail time as well as a fine. She has no other convictions.

Sun, 10/21/2007 - 3:29pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I was pulled over on Friday night 11/15/2007 because my license tag was expired, it hadn't even been a year, and showed him the receipt. He wrote me a ticket and I was going to be on my way, then the drug task showed up and search my car while a female officer searched me, and found a small roach maybe two puffs worth, which I didn't even I had. I was arrested and my car was impounded. I was in jail at 1am and wasn't even booked until 7am, the booking officer told me she didn't know why they wanted to wait so long until booking, and asked me if I had been drinking. I told her no I had not been drinking and that I don't drink. I would like to know why I was made to wait so long? and Why didn't they offer me to make my call? I'm going to file on the officer, this is my 1st offense. What a bunch of bs.

Sat, 11/17/2007 - 2:06am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

My husband was pulled over for no reason that the cop gave him.This was Liberty Co,Cleveland,Texas.My husband had 1 blunt on him,he has HEP C he got this diesease while working as a CNA in a Nursing Home,he has been dealing with his HEP C for sometime.The Marijuana helps with his aliments,nobody on the law enforcement side seems to understand any of this.He was arrested,the family van was impounded and a week later my husband was released from jail with 6 months probation,attending drug class in which he will recieve a certificate stating that he has completed his classes,he must take the certificate to his employer showing that he is a certified drug offender.Pay out the a$$ in fines.Good Luck to us this is his last month on probation.What are you gonna do???

Thu, 12/06/2007 - 1:35am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I MEAN REALLY. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THIS SCENARIO...EVERYONE'S TRYING SO HARD RIGHT NOW BUT AR FACED WITH FORECLOSURES, HIGH GAS PRICES, HIGH COST OF FOOD BECAUSE OF HIGH GAS PRICES, BEING UNDERPAID IN MOST JOBS, STRESSES IN RELATIONSHIPS, DIVORCE, THE INABILITY TO DO FOR YOUR CHILDREN WHAT THEY SEE ON TV, CLOTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE ETC. JUST DAY TO DAY STRESS.
IF YOU MAKE IT THROUGH THE DAY WITHOUT SNAPPING YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO HOME OR ANY OTHER PLACE THAT ALLOWS SMOKING AND TOKE ON A GOOD JOINT. NOTICE I SAID JOINT BECAUSE BLUNTS ARE MUCH LIKE SMOKING CIGARETTES AND RELEASE CARCINOGENS FOR SECOND HANDERS TO INHALE AND EXTRACT ALL THE POISONS THAT COME WITH INHALING TOBACCO SMOKE. I THINK THAT IF YOU CAN MAKE THE CHOICE TO SMOKE TOBACCO, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE CHOICE OF A HEALTHER MORE SOOTHING ALTERNATIVE.

THINK ABOUT THIS...CIGARETTES COME WITH A WARNING THAT YOU CAN GET CANCER AND LOTS OF OTHER HORRIBLE DISEASES. ALCOHOL HAS WARNINGS BUT SINCE THERE IS A NEED BECAUSE OF OUR HUMAN NATURE TO HAVE A SOOTHER ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF MAWS? (MOTHERS AGAINST WEED SMOKING) THERE HAS BEEN NO MURDERS, NO IMPAIRMENTS CAUSED PURELY BY WEED AND THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IS YOU SMOKE YOURSELF TO SLEEP OR YOU LAUGH AT NOT SO FUNNY THINGS. WHERE IS THE CRIME IN THAT?

THER TRUTH IS THERE HAS TO BE SOME IDIOT SITTING ON HIGH THAT MAKES THE DECISION TO JAIL PEOPLE FOR MARIJUANA BUT THAT SAYS ALCOHOL IS TOLERABLE BECAUSE ITS BEEN AROUND A WHILE AND WHAT GOOD IS A PARTY WITHOUT ALCOHOL. AND CIGARETTES THOUGH BAD ARE OK BECAUSE THE GOOD OLE BOY NEXT DOOR ENJOYS THEM, JUST WARN OTHER ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN FROM LONG TERM USE.

MY DADDY SMOKED WEED AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. I AS A CHILD THOUGHT THE JOINTS WERE HOME ROLLED CIGARETTES. AS FOR THE CHILDREN... OUT OF 7, 4 SMOKED POT OF WHICH 2 SMOKED CIGARETTES, 5 OF US DRINK OCCASIONALLY, 1 SMOKES CIGARS. 2 HAVE POSSESSION CHARGES, 4 HAVE BETTER THAN 4 YEAR DEGREES, 7 HAVE AT LEAST A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION. THE 2 THAT HAVE POSSESSION CHARGES OF WHICH 1 IS 22 HOURS FROM A BACHELORS DEGREE BUT AFTER THE POSSESSION CHARGE AFFECTED HIS ABILITY TO FIND A JOB DECIDED WTF? AND DIDNT GO BACK. WHAT A WASTE, BUT HOW MANY PRIOR BACHELOR DEGREE PURSUITS ENDED FALLING SHORT OF DEGREE GLORY? 1 CHILD WAS MURDERED AT EARLY 30 BY SOMEONE THAT WAS INTOXICATED AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF COCAINE, THE OTHERS ALL WORK OR ARE SELF EMPLOYED EARNING FROM $35000 TO $100000.

ONLY 1 SIBLING SMOKES OCCASIONALLY NOW BUT I AM SURE AT LEAST 2 OTHER WOULD STILL SMOKE IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FEAR OF REJECTION OR WORSE CHARGES OR INABILITY TO GET A DECENT JOB.

MY REAL COMMENT IS THIS.

BEING THAT MARIJUANA IS ILLEGAL YOUR CHILDREN FIND THEIR HIGHS IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET, IN EXOTIC LAB CREATED DRUGS THAT THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE FAR WORSE THAN THE MUNCHEES AND FALLING ASLEEP ON THE SOFA, THAT LEAVE YOU SENSELESS AND INCAPABLE OF RATIONAL THINKING FOR YEARS TO COME, THAT IS 90% GUARANTEED TO GIVE YOU AND/OR THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU INHALING THE SAME AIR SOME DREADFUL CANCER, OR WORSE ALCOHOL THAT WILL LEAVE YOU SENSELESS AND INCOHERENT OR NULL AND VOID AND NUMB....WHAT DOCUMENTED PROOF HORRIBLE SIDE AFFECTS OF POT SMOKING EXISTS?

AND ON ANOTHER THOUGHT OUR POLITICIANS ARE NOT GOD, THOUGH THEY ACT LIKE IT SOMETIMES. WHAT GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO DIRECT YOU TO OPTIONS THAT CARRY A FAR LESSER PENALTY AND IS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE AND TAXED BUT ARE FAR MORE DAMAGING? OR IS IT THAT ITS TAXED AND MAKING MONEY FOR THE GREEDY HAVES AND KILLING THE HAVE NOTS AND THROWING THEM IN JAIL AND REALLY IN ACTUALITY KEEPING THEM FROM BECOMING THE HAVES THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE? WHAT HAPPENED TO CHOOSING THE LESSER EVIL?

I DONT SEE THE POINT.

SIGNED,

SJ JUST MISSING MY WEED IN DESOTO TX

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 11:30pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

ok soooo I came across this webpage when I recicved a call from a possibly employee that was very interested in me for working for them. " We found on your background check that you have a misdemoner from this year. Sorry we cant place you in our workplace." I, myself, was very shocked! Yes its true I do have a misdemenor for a P.O.M charge of < then 2 oz. I felt I was wrongfully arressted on the date of January 29. 2008 for the possienson of a dime..yes a dime.

Let me tell you how it all happen:
On the nite of January 29. 2008.....I bought a dime sack for me and my boyfriend and a couple of our friends to smoke. On returning from the trip on foot from purchasing the bud all by myself, I returned home to find my boyfriend horribly sick. Immeditaly scrurring to the hospital choffurred by my mom, I arrived, only to stay a long nite at the hostipal til 4:30am in the morning. Upon arrival to the apartments of where I was staying due to my homeless situation, I rolled a blunt, me and my boyfriend were smoking outside on the friends porch, my friend came outside to ask if he could smoke and I told him, "No. I dont like to smoke with people I dont ever smoke with and people who dont ever smoke." He still persisted to ask and ask and like a parent of a child i gave in. Just like anyone who smokes, he took large hits and inhaled deeply, soon after the hits, the blunt was now a roach and i put out, only to not know what was to come around the corner of my life. The friend of mine said all in good hearted thank yous and said he felt good, going inside to what I thought to enjoy his high, he was gone and disappered into the apartment. Still outside with my boyfriend and my other friend who didnt smoke, we talked and lit cigaretts...taking drags was like counting down the clock of what was going to happen. As i pursuited inside to rest my aching body and drained mind, I was ready to sleep. Laying on the couch with my boyfriend, we both heard aloud clashing and breaking noise of what to me sounded like a thousand chimes of glass was breaking in my head. I, the only one, who was really aware of the loud noise, my other friend came in from his cigarette, We both asked out loud," What did ____ break?" Ushering ourselves to the backroom, we heard more glass breaking, finally inside the darken room, I turned on the light, to only see my friend stuck in the window, like it was a cobwebb of glass. Panicking and scared, I try to tell him not to pull his arms out but it was too late, he was walking towards my friend, holding out his arm in a bloody hug, only to collaspe halfway in between the hallway and the bathroom. My friend scared and frighten rush to his cell phone calling 911, reporting the incident, I watched of puddle of blood formed underneath my friend. Thats when I begin to talk to him and to bring him back from the death he was barley escaping, finally awaking, he sat up and I begin to wrap his arms in white towels, they became easily soaked in blood. He stared at me with hate in his eyes," This is all your fault." I looked puzzled, "No, you decided to make an irresponsible decsion all on your own, there is noone else to blame but yourself." As soon as the converstation was cut, his mother stormed in from is front door and was upset as any parent would be, I explained to her what had happen and she became irratiate and I begin to gather my things and rushed out the front door with ther following. All i thought at that time was....." I have to get out of here! Fast!" trying to find a way out of this hell, I saw a fence and was about to climb, " Freeze!" a loud voice came ten feet from behind. I casually walked over to the officer and he behind to question me to what happen and seemed less less concern of my friend, " Look officer!!!! You have to help my friend! He is bleeding to death!" He laughed and begin to search me for weapons. " Why are you searching me?", he answered, " To make sure you dont have any weapons." I looked at him shocked, " Excuse me? You think I would do this to my own friend?" He glared me in the eyes, " Hell, I dont know. You could of." I was floored when he told me that. In any state of mind either sober or high I would never thought of doing anything to any of my friends. He beind to search my items, packs and packs of different assorted tobbacco packs then sum shake, " Whats this?" he looked in question. " Whats what sir." He pointed with a guilty finger," That dumbass." I searched my dazed and tired mind for an answer, " Hachei, Hooka tobacco sir." He looked in disbelief...." What?ever!? Thats marijauna...Put your hands behind your back like your praying, your going to jail!" He throw me in the back of the patrol vechicle like I was nothing and let my boyfriend go and I stared at him walking away as he seemed so lost, only to look back at me, with wet eyes. I was thrown into jail for seventeen days and ever since then I have hated the fact that I got locked up for a dime and I hate that everything in my life is never going to ever be the same, my record is never gonna be clean, I lost the love of my life and not I cant forward with my life at all. Thanks alot williamson county. How I'am gonna move on with life......?

Wed, 02/27/2008 - 4:53pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

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Tue, 12/09/2008 - 3:22pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Atascosa county- south 37 or 281, south of San Antonio.
Cops were jerk- i told them i didn't consent to the search but they 'smelled' pot on us. Enough to search the car- found small amount of 'contraband' on my wife, i.e. 1.5 grams. Gave them enough to search the trunk and found the rest of out total 3g. stash. Arrested and given a $3000 bond and still waiting for court. Not only that, but my wife as a first time offender was given a $2000 bond. FOR 4 GRAMS TOTAL! Absolute bullshit!
While is spent my 24 hours in jail, for a non-violent, didn't hurt anyone yet cost everyone 'criminal act', there was another few arrests later. One in particular was a 19 year old kid freaking out due to too much xanex. They LET HIM GO. Booked him, let him relax for a minute and then BAM, out of jail. SO, the moral of the Texass law system is thus: prescription or not, man made is ok. (he took them for recreation purposes, not for medical purposes.)
Anyways, I am resigned to stop giving Texas my hard earned tax monies and forfeit my vote here for a better state. One that is more congruent with reason and justice- not a state willing to sentance its non-violent offenders to the same fate as murderers, rapists and other types (if we had stayed a day longer, we'd been put into 'population' or the regular crowd in the jail).

Sun, 01/04/2009 - 4:49pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

okay yeah i smoke marijuana
i DONOT drive while entoxicated
but, sometimes i have it on me while im driving
if i get pulled over, searched && they find it on me
what could be my fine ? or whats gonna happen to me really ??
im 18 years old,female, & i stay in houston texas....
(jus givin my info since i see its different in every state & for a male/female )

Sun, 02/08/2009 - 11:27am Permalink
Jaye (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Keep it in your ash tray never consent to a search. And ohhh yeah always give them your real stuff they will find out. A police officer can direct you to look at traffic camera and take your picture and look for you in the data base. 

Wed, 04/23/2014 - 2:37pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

i'm a 16 year old female in texas. and i smoke weed. i do drive under the influence. but it is very different from driving while drunk. my aunt recently got pulled over with a roach in her car. she spent the morning in jail and is on probation now. my uncle got 6 months probabtion and was caught with a quarter sac. so i'm not sure if that answers your question. hope i helped

Thu, 04/02/2009 - 12:02pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Since Marijuana is still unfortunetly illegal, God hoping that will change soon, be aware of your rights. I have read so many comments where police have searched your car. Why would you let them?! Clear up the "probable cause" issue by using some visine. If a cop asks you if he can search your car tell him/her no. Unless your in Wilco I don't imagine the K-9 unit being brought out. Yes Williamson County is ruthless, but that is common knowledge. Be carefule if your driving within those County lines.

Oh and as far as calling anyone who smokes Cannabis white trash your completely delusioned. Just as you probably are on the drug itself. I am a conservative republican graduate from Texas A&M and a very productive member of society. I suffer from severe depression and marijuana has helped me stay driven, focused, and downright happy. Results no psychologist I've seen to date, regardless of the many legal prescription pills they gave me, has been able to do. My father passed away of cancer a number of years ago. I watched him day after day in the hospital barely able to choke down half a Dr.Pepper every meal. According to the docter that was pretty good for a patient on Chemo. That was 75 calories every meal. I recently saw a report on a 17 year old girl going through the same ordeal. Her MOTHER brought her cannabis after seeing her daughter wither away and guess what? Her appetite improved, she claims it helps with the pain and nausea better than any drug her docters had given her, and now she has a much better chance of recovery. I WISH the government would have allowed my father that same opportunity. Even if the outcome were the same if it had helped with the sickness in the least who is to say that is wrong? You Mr. I'll follow you home and beat the daylights out of you? Go hate on someone you actually have some ground to stand on against.

The sad truth is that it has many more applications if people would open their mind to something that you've just being propagated to hate since you were young. This isn't going to be a hippy movement. No one under 21 should be legal allowed to purchase or smoke it still. As of July 2008 there were 300 million people in America. The National Institute of Drug Abuse say 100 million people have tried it at least once. Thats 1/3 of America! That could be a ton of money generated in taxes.

Think about it.

Sat, 05/09/2009 - 2:58pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Police officers don't make the laws but are expected, indeed obligated, to enforce them.

Sun, 05/17/2009 - 1:05pm Permalink
6th gen texan (not verified)

my god someday.just like the country came to its senses regarding prohibition. it will be legal the question then becomes can we survive untill then? when i first started smoking in texas people would get ten years for two seedsthings have improvd butjus like there was a time when slavery was thought to be a reasonable thing but now justice prevails sort of right now the state is holding my kids hostage until i quit smoking pot his is an unspeakable evil . blackmailed in dallas

Thu, 07/09/2009 - 4:18am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Hmm, I live in Denver and it is legal here up to an oz. I did not know that people still went to jail for that?!? Denver Police don't even confiscate your bud, if your caught with it. That sucks for you guys. Let me guess, it's a republican state?

Sun, 10/11/2009 - 6:31pm Permalink
noneofyourbusiness (not verified)

My best friend is such a harmless person, he just started hanging out with the wrong people and yesterday night he and his friend were pulled over for a traffic violation. So the cop ended up searching his car and found a pipe underneath the passenger seat, so that gave him a reason to check my friend and found some marijuana in his pocket but it was definetly not a quarter pound if anything it was just enough to roll a blunt. And yet they take him in to the downtown police station and the driver was let go with a ticket? So how exactly does this HB2391 shit work because obviously cops arent going by this rule. I am against pot in every single way but when i see that they didnt have to take him to jail then this pisses me off. Give him a huge fine but really whats the purpose of making him go threw that. He was freaked out as it was.

Thu, 05/27/2010 - 12:35pm Permalink
jimmy (not verified)

In reply to by noneofyourbusiness (not verified)

I got pulled over because fail to turn on a signal light making a turn. one thing lead to another ended up searching my car and found some weed i swear it was less than a gram just like a fat nugget. enough to roll up a joint that's it he ended up towing my car and taking me to jail. im only 17 haven't really been in trouble with the law except having no insurance but this time i was cover. well he was black and i was white and don't get me wrong i have had a black girlfriend nothing wrong and far from races  had sex with blacks lol but i felt he was back in the old times and made me his lil bitch by taking me to jail. again i am only 17 a couple of traffic ticket and school tickets but never a drug charge. spent a whole week 7 days in jail come out and have probation for a year intill november 23 of 2013 60$ a month 5$ for a drug test and 80 hours of community service. i guess my best advice for anyone who just go out of jail dont fuck with a free attorney. they in it for the money and if u dont sign for probation he is not getting paid. if you go on your own way and get your own lawyer out of your pocket yea expect to pay like 2,000$ but you are not going to sign for probation well in my cases i wasn't and some other things would of happen. but at the end i find it very fuck up how texas laws are made. while im in jail im sitting right next to people who broke into car's, houses, family assault and im the guy saying only in here for less than a gram of marijuana. the ass hole cop weight it with the bag and it came out to 2.3g or something like 2.8g and yes still went to jail for that but and coming out of jail having to do all of this is suck a bunch of bullshit.

Sat, 01/12/2013 - 11:32am Permalink
Shella Morris (not verified)

In reply to by jimmy (not verified)

Hello everyone on this forum, i am full of joy now in writing this article about how Dr Alex was able to bring my husband out of jail, it all started few months ago when my husband had quarrels with his company business partner, this issue was deeply so though for the both parties, at first when this case started my husband did not tell me not until it when the case was really though and serious, my husband after hold serious troubles and conflict with his business partner for many times they decided to take the case to court, and on the first sit this case was said to be arjorn, my husband took his lawyer and the lawyer told him not to worry that he was going to sit on the case, and we had to spend a huge amount of money to settle this case, but till to all on the second sit my husband was sentenced to jail, by the magistrate for 5years, when i went in research of this case i found out my husband was just innocent, so i started to try all means to bring my husband out from Jail, on my search on the internet i found out how Dr Alex Of ( [email protected] ) was able to help a lady whose husband has also be arrested for an unknown case, i had to email Dr Alex and told him about my trouble, he told me that everything will be okay, if only i have the faith in him, after all he told me he was going to cast a spell on my husband and after which my husband was going to come out from Jail, and his opponent will beg him to forgive them, true to the words Dr Alex told me my husband is back to me and we are living fine now, wow i am so happy i tried the spells of Dr Alex, Sir i am grateful for what you have done,, you can email him on [email protected] or call +2347036013351..
 

Sun, 06/08/2014 - 12:24am Permalink

Can a person move to say New Mexico, California, or Colorado from Texas and say become a resident in N.M. and qualify for Medical Marijuana? Texas used to be a state you wished you could live in and now it is the complete opposite!!!! Why are we so slow to deal with something as important as Medical marijuana for seriously ill people!!!! I'm moving cause I have no choices in Texas!

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 12:05pm Permalink
Chadwe (not verified)

I like Obama OK, however I seem to be the minority in this very unstable economy this country has. I'm not sure whether Obama has the stones to get re-elected next election?! Things seem to be getting worse and worse! He has already given his opinion on his approval of Medical Marijuana. Why doesn't he make this a federal case: For the use of Medical Marijuana and approve it! I could almost assure him the presidency next term with all that's happening! He should be stronger in taking action instead of talking about it! What are they waiting for? Are they waiting for BP to plug up the leak in the gulf? I really think God is mad as heck about this leak and we haven't a clue to when, if ever, the leak will be fixed?! If the latter occurs we'll all need to smoke a little and Obama can kiss the presidency goodbye!

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 12:54pm Permalink
wyatt (not verified)

Well the idea was good however no one uses it. The only county that even considers not taking you to jail is Travis county anywhere else in Texas they don't care you are screwed. I live in Travis county and i have never heard or seen a cop give out a ticket for possession of marijuana you go straight to jail! The Jails prove it This is a REAL FACT. I watched car thieves, and some one who put another person in ICU because they were driving drunk get less of a sentence then me with a misdemeanor pot charge here in Austin. As far as a job goes your screwed. I am not a criminal I have never made less then 60k a year for the last ten years. Pay all my taxes on time have a family pay all my bills and have worked for Major corporations and been super successful. Well I was Layed off from DELL because they gave my job to some one in INDIA.
I went to College and because i had a bag of pot I am Now labeled a hardened Criminal I Can NOT even get a job at a gas station. Trying to save tax payers money is a JOKE. I am being forced to live off the government I want to work but i am being forced too. This is crazy I pay my probation fees with money the government gives me WTF this is not a good system. SO the government will never get taxes from me again and they are going to pay for me to live for the rest of my life because of a pot charge this is so stupid. I feel like they are telling me to go sell drugs that is my only option what kind of society is this. Marijuana needs to be decriminalized period it does not hurt any one. The only job I may be able to get like construction or something I cant get hired because I am not A FOREIGNER I am a American all the jobs that I can get Immigrants have.

Tue, 07/13/2010 - 5:47pm Permalink
flomob (not verified)

In reply to by wyatt (not verified)

Reality is prison is a business.  Too much money generated from putting us behind bars.  As with everything American, money rules.  How much money would be lost if we stopped drug testing for marijuana and stopped arresting people for marijuana.  How many thousands of drug tests are administered every year?  That's money generated for some company to administer these tests.  If they legalize it, there would be less crime, but also less jobs.  I don't see it happening in my lifetime, it's too lucrative.  So just be smart and invest in these private prisons because business is booming. 

Fri, 09/03/2010 - 12:12pm Permalink
Concerned and … (not verified)

My boyfriend was in the car with his friend when the narcotics came and searched the car, they calm for parbole calls someone called it in... anywho they searched them. My boyfriend had nothing on him but hos friend had weed and an illegal firearm on him. Does my boyfriend face the same charges as his friend ?
Mon, 09/23/2013 - 12:27am Permalink
19 Year Old Co… (not verified)

I was a passenger in a car that smelled like weed. We were pulled over and searched because my dumbass friend left his lights off when he pulled out the driveway of a 7/11 back onto public roads .the driver only possessed a diry scale that had residue. Once they found the 4 grams of weed that i possessed and owned up to immediately We were both handcuffed and arrested and taken to Williamson County jail for POM. I had to wait 24 hours to be released AFTER I posted bond within the first 12 hours to bail myself out. Because I was arrested instead of ticketed I missed 2 days of my college classes. Even my closest friend that I'd die for that got caught with me turned on me cause he thinks I'll sell him out somehow to get myself out of trouble, thank you for that Wilco now I have no one in this world to turn to. I just want to smoke my weed alone and finish school so I can get a job work and die why can't we just smoke weed it doesn't affect anyone else. Also it is the only medication I have found that can soothe my sever depression about the sad life I've lived.... I don't want to end up killing my self one day just because I can't be free and smoke my weed... I want to make it to heaven one day..God please save us from this game called "Life"...
Thu, 03/05/2015 - 5:53pm Permalink

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