AUSTIN (Kiii News) -
Getting caught with marijuana can land a person some jail time, but Texas state lawmakers are discussing a bill to change that.
House Bill 184 - sponsored by Harold Dutton of Houston - is being debated in the State Capitol.
The bill calls for a reduced penalty for the possession of small amounts of weed.
Instead of jail time upwards of 180 days, a person caught with up to one ounce of marijuana would pay a $500 fine, but no time behind bars.
Proponents of the bill say the move would reduce the strain on law enforcement in order to pursue more serious crimes.
"They know that the police are spending a ton of time right now on marijuana," Rob Kampia, Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project said. "They know that the police are not arresting everyone who commits murder, rape and burglary."
No word yet on when a final decision on the bill will be handed down.
