Texas House passes bill slashing penalties for low-level cannabis possession

The Texas House of Representatives on Thursday gave its final approval to a bill that would eliminate jail time for people busted with small quantities of cannabis. House Bill 218 would reduce possession of up to one ounce of cannabis to a Class C misdemeanor, an offense for which the maximum penalty is a fine of up to $500. Additionally, the measure would establish a process through which people with possession convictions can have them expunged from their records. State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, the bill's author, said the change will save the state money and allow law enforcement officials to concentrate on dealing with serious criminal activity.