Possession of small quantities of marijuana in the presence of a minor shouldn't earn a year in jail and $4,000 fine

Senator Jeff Wentworth
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
512-463-0125
Fax (512) 463-7794

Dear Senator Wentworth,

Under the proposed provisions of HB 3680, a person who has a few grams of marijuana in his or her pocket and allows a person under 18 years of age to remain in the same room would face up to a year in jail and $4,000 in fines.

Why not extend the same penalty to anyone who possesses alcohol in the presence of a minor? How about extending the same penalty to those who possess tobacco in the presence of a minor? The penalties for marijuana possession are far too harsh already. It’s time to draw a line on increasing harsh penalties for anyone who is simply possessing marijuana.

Please, don’t allow marijuana users to be treated like child abusers – which is exactly what HB 3680 would do.

Sincerely,