Pubdate: Fri, 10 Apr 2015
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2015 The Dallas Morning News, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/send-a-letter/
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Brittney Martin

TEXAS YOUNG REPUBLICANS BACKS DECRIMINALIZING POT

Texas Young Republicans, a group affiliated with the state GOP, is 
publicly backing legislative efforts to decriminalize marijuana possession.

More than three-fourths of the group's membership support 
decriminalizing possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and 
removing fines that can be levied, according to a survey the group conducted.

The House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee discussed proposals late 
Wednesday night that would reduce the penalties for possessing small 
amounts of marijuana, and one bill that would legalize it altogether.

"People have different positions. There are some that want to see the 
incarceration rate go down, there are some that want to save money 
and then use that money for other law enforcement purposes," said 
Brian Bo-dine, policy director of the Texas Young Republican Federation.

"People have different reasons, but freedom is probably the big one - 
and personal liberty and responsibility," Bodine said.

Two proposals by House Democrats would lessen the criminal charge for 
possession of small amounts of marijuana from a class B to a class C 
misdemeanor. But a proposal by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, has the 
most widespread support among pot advocates and Texas Young Republicans.

Moody's bill would reduce possession of less than an ounce of 
marijuana to a civil offense. It would eliminate the arrest and 
criminal record and establish a maximum fine of $250.

A proposal by Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, would take 
decriminalization a step further by removing all mention of marijuana 
from state statutes, making the drug legal by default.

Bodine said "a majority" of the group's membership would support 
Simpson's bill, but it stopped short of taking an official position 
because it contradicts the Texas Republican Party's platform.

"The younger Republican demographic wants to see these laws changed 
to varying degrees," Bodine said. "We're different than the older generation."

Despite some bipartisan support, efforts to change marijuana laws, 
even for medical use, face long odds. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he 
supports current drug policy.

The bills were left pending in the committee.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom