house bill 507 Archives

Texas Rep. Kills Bills to Decriminalize Cannabis, Repeal Cannabis Prohibition

May 17, 2015

Despite being passed out of their initial committees with bipartisan support, Texas Representative Todd Hunter, Chairman of the House Calender Committee, has effectively killed a bill to decriminalize cannabis, and a bill to repeal cannabis prohibition, refusing to allow the full House of Representatives to debate and consider them.

House Bill 507 would have removed the possibility of jail time, or a criminal record, for the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, reducing the penalty to a $250 fine. The bill was passed with a 4 to 2 vote by the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. The same committee also gave approval, 5 to 2, to House Bill 2165, a proposal to completely repeal cannabis prohibition in the state.

Proposal to Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Passes Texas House Committee

May 31, 2015May 6, 2015

In a surprise and historic move, the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee has approved legislation that would completely repeal cannabis prohibition in the state for those 21 and older, making it legal to possess, cultivate and distribute the plant.

House Bill 2165 was approved with bipartisan support, with five committee members voting in favor (two Republicans, three Democrats), and two voting against.

“I am proposing that this plant be regulated like tomatoes, jalapeños or coffee”, Representative David Simpson said after announcing the bill. “Current marijuana policies are not based on science or sound evidence, but rather misinformation and fear.”

Texas House Committee Passes Measure to Decriminalize Cannabis

May 5, 2015May 5, 2015

For the first time in the state’s history, a legislative committee in Texas has passed a bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis.

The Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence approved House Bill 507 with a 4 to 2 vote, moving it to the House Calendars Committee.

The proposal, sponsored by Representative Joe Moody (D-El Paso), would remove the possibility of jail-time, or a criminal charge, for the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis. Instead, those caught possessing such an amount will be hit with, at most, a $250 civil fine.

Proposal to Decriminalize Cannabis Possession Filed in Texas

December 16, 2014December 15, 2014

Texas State Representative Joe Moody introduced House Bill 507 Monday morning, a proposal to decriminalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis for those 21 and older, making the offense a simply $100 ticket.

“Our current marijuana policy in Texas just isn’t working,” says Representative Moody. “We need a new approach that allows us to more effectively utilize our limited criminal justice resources. This legislation is a much-needed step in the right direction.”