Texas’s House of Representatives passed a bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis on Wednesday in a voice vote. The bill still requires a second reading, which is a formality, before heading to the Senate for further consideration, reported local media.

House Bill 3652, filed by Rep. Joe Moody, a Democrat from El Paso, will allow adults over 21 to use, possess and transport up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. The bill would also allow people to cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants on their property. 

The legislation facilitates an expungement process for those with criminal records for the possession of up to two ounces. 

Monumental 

The legislation reduces the penalties for other marijuana offenses like the possession of one to two ounces of weed to a Class B misdemeanor, not subject to arrest. Possession of between two and four ounces would be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor. 

An Important Move Regardless Of How It Ends Up

“I think what is important is that at least the public sees that somewhere in the Capitol of Texas, there are elected officials ready to have the discussion of whole-plant cannabis legalization and what that may look like,” said Daryoush Austin Zamhariri, creator and editor of the Fort Worth-based Texas Cannabis Collective news site. 

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