New Marijuana Law Could Save Texas Taxpayers Millions — If Authorities Use It
Tue, Aug 28, 2007 1:58 pm
"This law is good for Texas, because each marijuana arrest costs Texas taxpayers $2,000, takes a police officer off the street for three to four hours, and fills a space in jail that should instead be used to house a violent criminal," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "By citing instead of arresting marijuana users, Texas will now be safer."
Marijuana possession arrests make up between 6 and 7 percent of all Texas arrests. It has been estimated that each of the state's five largest cities could save over $1 million per year by taking advantage of the law, passed by the legislature as HB 2391. The measure also covers several other misdemeanor offenses, including driving with an invalid license, graffiti, and criminal mischief where the damage is less than $500. The law does not change penalties for marijuana possession or other offenses.
"If Texas were a country, it would have the highest incarceration rate in the world -- higher than even China and Russia," Kampia noted. "Incredibly, literally 1 percent of the entire population of Texas is currently behind bars."
At least one law enforcement official, Bexar County Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg, has already said he expects to ignore the new law, with arrests continuing as usual. That would be a mistake, Kampia said.
"Federal government statistics show no difference in marijuana use rates between states that arrest people for marijuana possession and those that don't," Kampia said. "Ignoring this sensible law will waste tax dollars for no good reason."
With more than 23,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.











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outgrowbigbro
Feb 16 2010, 10:38 am
Visit www.TexasCannabisCrusade.com for more info.
Vote To Legalize
Jan 30 2010, 11:53 am
My recommendation is: Every time you go to the ballot box to vote, Write "Legalize Marijuana" on your ballot in LARGE letters. If enough of us do this, the message will become clear that we, too, vote!
medical
Jan 29 2010, 2:45 pm
lifelongtexan
Oct 23 2009, 12:33 am
'C-SOL'
Oct 15 2009, 1:06 am
Earl Smith
Sep 25 2009, 11:27 am
My brother(Charles Smith) is being held in Nacogdoches County Jail for an Engaging in Organized Crime charge for 1 plant and a few seedlings.I tried to post his bond but 20 minutes after I did it went up from $5000 to $100000.All he ever wanted was his place in the country and his animals.He is not and has never been a drug dealer,maybe the police shouldn't be harrassing his wife,trying to get her to say he was selling it.It has medicinal value to him.Back and leg injuries,no health insurance and the price and side effects of prescription drugs are ridiculous.
Earl Smith
Friendly
Aug 11 2009, 5:23 pm
Who wins from this stupid and laughable prohibition?
Dow Chemical
Anyone who makes any kind of alcohol
Private prison owners
Drug enforcement agency's
Drug Cartels
Lawyers
leaflover
Jul 18 2009, 11:58 pm
Ryan
Jun 26 2009, 4:25 pm
i hope this bill passes its mind blowing that there are people in power with the same mind and attitude as flat faced bruce here
Bruce
Jun 24 2009, 2:33 am
MR.G
Apr 21 2009, 8:19 pm
GanjaGurl
Apr 13 2009, 12:34 pm
Chong
Mar 8 2009, 1:53 pm
if its your first offense theres a 900 dollar fine and court ordered drug testing. they give you a color, you call this number every day if they say your color you gotta go in and its an observed test. and after 90 days clean tests, all charges are dropped. i was on it for almost 6 moths because i was dirty for so long
still fuckin gay as shit though.
Tomballpi
Oct 2 2008, 10:08 pm
I wish
Jul 26 2008, 8:33 pm
Trying to be informed
Dec 31 2007, 7:41 pm
bry
Oct 9 2007, 3:05 am
your frees its a loose loose cituation the Texas cops are just getting smart to not waste time book you a court date and then bring you in later and arrest your or give your probation whicher they choose fit of ugggh it disgusts me guys
nunya!
Sep 22 2007, 2:54 pm
texaSmoker
Sep 13 2007, 11:41 am
To koven66
Sep 11 2007, 4:13 pm
koven66
Sep 10 2007, 12:04 am
DiamondDawn
Sep 7 2007, 12:52 pm
mihigh
Aug 31 2007, 1:20 am
John Tyler
Aug 31 2007, 12:11 am
texan
Aug 30 2007, 9:52 pm
okla420
Aug 30 2007, 2:42 pm
imhigh
Aug 29 2007, 8:07 pm
resident
Aug 29 2007, 2:51 pm
Crazy Dave from Boston$$$
Aug 29 2007, 1:29 pm
doc1212
Aug 28 2007, 6:15 pm
it has always
Aug 28 2007, 6:08 pm
everything is about money.
Virginia Gentleman
Aug 28 2007, 5:30 pm
this is whats retarded
Aug 28 2007, 4:11 pm
it only would mean that they would have to send you through the court process and then give you your sentencing.
IT SAVES MONEY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAUL YOUR ASS INTO JAIL JUST SO YOU CAN POST BAIL AND BE OUT THE NEXT DAY.
but leave it to our retarded texas government officials to "ignore the law" even though it makes absolutely no sense to ignore it.
they do love to waste money. especially when it means jailing non-violent people.
i love texas, but i hate the people who run it.
what a fucking joke.
Buzz Ard to John Doe
Aug 28 2007, 3:48 pm
A. Alonzo Wigfall
Aug 28 2007, 3:22 pm
that other states might want
to look at in order to draft
like measures for thier individule states. It's cost effective and efficent,which is what the majority of taxpayers would appreciate from thier state governmemt.
John Doe
Aug 28 2007, 3:19 pm
"Ignore the new law " ? Kinda says it all doesn't it . Watch this guy Austin !
Sounds like a damn fine
Aug 28 2007, 3:12 pm
Leave it to Austin to be the first, It's the greatest city in Texas!!!
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