Although some states have passed laws legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, Texas has not. Under state law, it is illegal to possess any amount of marijuana, regardless of how a person may intend to use it. Texas classifies the drug as a Schedule 1 substance, indicating it has a high likelihood of abuse with little medicinal value. Individuals in possession of fewer than two ounces of marijuana can face a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days of jail time.

State laws are notoriously tough on drug offenders, with penalties for possession of larger amounts of marijuana increasing exponentially depending on the amount involved and the type of crime. For example, if police arrest an individual and find he or she has between two and four ounces of marijuana, that person may have to spend up to a year in jail and pay up to $4,000 in fines. If that same person had between four ounces and five pounds of marijuana, the penalties would increase to include a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison term of as long as two years. Sentences continue to increase with the quantity of marijuana, and can reach fines of up to $50,000 and 99 years in prison.

If you have been charged with a marijuana-related crime, then please call my office today! I have exclusively practiced criminal law for over a decade and offer a free consultation!