Marijuana Penalties in Houston | Attorney

NORML - Marijuana Lawyer Houston
The penalties and punishments for marijuana possession in Texas vary depending on the facts of the case. Although some states are beginning to legalize or decriminalize marijuana possession for personal use Texas considers marijuana possession to be a serious crime. The penalties become more serious depending upon the specific facts of the case. For example, possession of two grams or less of marijuana is normally a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in the county jail. If someone possesses that same amount of marijuana within 1000 feet of a school or park then the offense is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in the county jail.

Marijuana Possession Penalties

Marijuana Possession Punishments
*Type of Offense*	*Weight of Drug*	*Punishment*
Class C misdemeanor	Possession of Drug Paraphernalia	0-$500 fine
Class B misdemeanor	2 ounces or less	No more than 180 days in a county jail
Class A misdemeanor	2 – 4 ounces	No more than 1 year in a county jail
State jail felony	4 ounces – 5 pounds	180 days to 2 years in a state jai
3rd-degree felony	5 – 50 pounds	2 to 10 years in a state prison
2nd-degree felony	50 – 2,000 pounds	2 to 20 years in a state prison
Enhanced 1st-degree felony	2,000 pounds or more	5 to 99 years or life in prison, and $50,000 max fine

Marijuana Delivery Penalties

Delivery of Marijuana Punishments
*Type of Offense*	*Weight of Drug*	*Punishment*
Class B misdemeanor	¼ ounce or less, given, not for payment	Not more than 180 days in a county jail
Class A misdemeanor	¼ ounce or less, for payment	No more than 1 year in a county jail
State jail felony	More than ¼ ounces, but less than 5 lbs	180 days to 2 years in a state jail
2nd-degree felony	More than 5 pounds, but less than 50 lbs	2 to 10 years in a state prison
1st-degree felony	More than 50 lbs, but less than 2,000	2 to 99 years in a state prison
Enhanced 1st-degree felony	More than 2,000 lbs	10 to 99 years or life in prison, and $100,000 max fine

Texas Marijuana Charges, Penalties, Defenses & More

Houston marijuana attorney Billy Skinner is an active proponent of marijuana rights and has compiled the marijuana resources below to help educate anyone charged with marijuana offenses in Houston, Texas.

Marijuana Resources:

Marijuana Penalties for Repeat Offenders

Marijuana penalties in Texas are higher for people who have previously been convicted of other offenses.

Misdemeanor Marijuana Repeat Offenses in Texas:

If the defendant is charged with a Class A misdemeanor and was previously convicted of a Class A misdemeanor or any felony, the penalty is 90 days to one year in jail and up to a $4000 fine.
If the defendant is charged with a Class B misdemeanor and was previously convicted of a Class A or B misdemeanor or any felony, the penalty is 30 to 180 days in jail and up to a $2000 fine.
If the defendant is charged with a Class C misdemeanor and was previously convicted three times under any of the above, the penalty is up to 180 days jail and a $2000 fine if any of the previous offenses were committed within 24 months of current offense.

Felony Marijuana Repeat Offenses in Texas:

If the defendant is charged with a state jail felony and was previously convicted of two other state jail felonies, the punishment for the current offense is the same as the punishment for a third degree felony, including 2-10 years in state prison.
If the defendant is charged with a state jail felony and was previously convicted of one previous felony and a second felony conviction from an incident that occurred after the first conviction, the defendant faces second degree felony punishments for the current offense.
If the defendant is charged with a state jail felony or third degree felony and was previously convicted of a felony, the defendant faces second degree felony punishments for the current offense.
If the defendant is charged with a second degree felony and was previously convicted of a felony, the defendant faces first degree felony punishments for the current offense.
If the defendant is charged with a first degree felony and was previously convicted of a felony, he or she faces life in prison or a prison term between 15 and 99 years. The defendant may also be punished with a fine up to $10,000.

Other Marijuana Penalties

Another potential consequence of a drug conviction in Texas is the suspension of your driver’s license. To discuss how you can try to avoid this and more serious penalties for marijuana charges in Houston, contact the Houston criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Billy Skinner for a free consultation. We are knowledgeable and caring marijuana defense attorneys who can challenge the evidence and present your story to help resolve your case in the most favorable manner possible.