You may agree that Texas is often known as a state that marches to the beat of its own drum. If you’ve been following national, state and local news about changing marijuana laws, you may already know that this state has been true to form in that it is doing its own thing and not going with the flow that the rest of the nation appears to be taking. In short, you still cannot use marijuana for any reason here.
If you are caught with even a tiny amount of marijuana in your possession in Texas, you may wind up behind bars. That’s not the only penalty you might incur if the court convicts you of a marijuana-related crime. Since federal law states all marijuana is illegal, but many states have implemented laws that say otherwise, you might feel very confused regarding what’s okay and what might lead to trouble.
Clarification where Texas is concerned
To learn about marijuana laws in other states, you can access their government websites and research the topic. As for this state, the following list provides basic information that may help you avoid legal problems:
- If a police officer charges you with possession for less than two ounces of marijuana, you may be penalized up to 180 days in jail.
- You may also have to pay as much as $2,000 in fines.
- If police accuse you of a felony, your possible prison sentence under conviction automatically bumps up to a full two years in state prison.
- If it is your first offense, a judge may allow you to enter a diversion program rather than incarcerate you.
- There are marijuana crimes that warrant nearly a century in prison if a court convicts you of these offenses in Texas.
Just because these are the laws today, doesn’t mean they won’t ever change. In fact, laws pertaining to cannabis change quite often. It’s best to stay abreast of developing information and to know where to turn for immediate support if you wind up facing legal problems associated with marijuana use.
Facing criminal charges can put a damper on your personal and professional life. There are Texas criminal defense attorneys who can advocate on your behalf if police take you into custody for a suspected marijuana crime. The type of defense you present in court may greatly impact the ultimate outcome of your situation.