San Antonio May Be the Next Texas City to Decriminalize Marijuana

San Antonio may be the next Texas city to reduce marijuana penalties. Five city council members support decriminalization. Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood is also supportive of reform in the city.

Right now, marijuana possession of two ounces or less is a Class B misdemeanor, according to My San Antonio. That charge is accompanied by fines up to $2,000 and jail time up to six months. Support for “cite and release” is increasing.

D.A. LaHood said, “It’s a win-win for everybody if done correctly. I’ve supported cite and release since the law changed.”

LaHood wouldn’t create new policy alone. He’d seek the assistance of other city officials and the San Antonio Police Department to ensure that the law is beneficial for all entities and the residents of San Antonio.

Jesse Salame, San Antonio police department spokesman, said the department “would like to take a look at what this other jurisdiction has done and see how their program is modeled and work with city leadership and the DA’s office to determine if that’s something to consider here.”

Mayor Ivy Taylor appears resistant to the idea of decriminalization. She declined to comment on the issue claiming that it is not something the city is considering right now, she says it’s not on her radar. Others would beg to disagree.

House Bill 81 would reduce penalties for those in possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. There would be no arrest for possession within those limits and it would be a $250 fine. Offenders wouldn’t be permitted to keep their marijuana though, it would be confiscated.

Multiple bills for decriminalization have been filed throughout the State of Texas this legislative session.