Texas arrests more than 60,000 people a year for smoking pot, and each arrest takes officers off the street for hours, leaving patrols understaffed and police chiefs begging taxpayers for money to hire more people. Is this really where we want to put our limited public safety resources?
That may be why Republicans and Democrats agreed to put marijuana sentencing reform on both party platforms this summer. If we reduce penalties for low-level marijuana possession from a Class B misdemeanor to a civil penalty carrying a $250 fine, and allow people with serious, chronic disease access to proven (and regulated) medical marijuana treatments, we can swiftly reduce unnecessary incarceration and refocus police time on solving violent crime.
Take action today and end arrests for pot possession!
