WASHINGTON CO. TO CONTINUE PROSECUTING MARIJUANA CASES

  

Although some state prosecutors are deciding to cut down on or refuse marijuana cases for prosecution, that won’t be the case in Washington County.

County officials have announced they will continue to prosecute marijuana cases as they have been doing in the past. This follows last month’s passage of House Bill 1325, which legalized possession of hemp with a THC concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.

Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken, whose office handles felony marijuana cases, said while it will continue to prosecute those cases, the county doesn’t see that many to begin with.

 

 

Renken said this will require educating law enforcement on how to properly handle marijuana cases, as prosecutors will need to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the marijuana in question differs from legal hemp by THC level. She noted the Texas Department of Public Safety can allow production of hemp, but not hemp for smoking, so smoking it is still illegal.

Renken said she is looking at DPS crime labs in Dallas County to assist Washington County in proving these cases. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Derek Estep said there could soon be a rise in private crime labs.

 

 

Estep said this decision will have a “miniscule effect” on the District Attorney’s office, but might make things more difficult for County Attorney Renee Mueller, who handles misdemeanor cases. However, Mueller said she doesn’t expect much of a change.

 

 

Mueller and Renken both reiterated that, as long as the possession of marijuana remains illegal in the state, it will stay illegal in Washington County.

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12 Comments

  1. people are very worried about drunk drivers they all get arrested now some areas want to be less strict on marajauna possession for drivers I have driven drunk and stoned in my younger days they are both dangerous and put other drivers at risk don’t drink don’t drive don’t smoke dope don’t drive no differance accept dope is not legal

  2. Why marijuana is illegal still but we have a county full of alcoholics is beyond me, I know what the more dangerous vice is and it isn’t the leafy stuff, let’s put this much focus into not allowing DWI habitual offenders keep their license and be allowed to avoid jail

  3. This “small” slip up in the state legislatures failure to clarify terms in discontinuing the prosecution of minor drug offenses in the recently passed legislation smells. It smells of a another new private for profit industry focused on the increase for crime lab analysis created by this oops, we goofed. A possibility for millions in profit, paid for by?? Minor offenders and taxpayers. Wonder who these investors will be? Profit or money is at the bottom of the woodpile, always. Want this to change? Only one place to get the job done.

  4. They will prosecute marijuana but you can get three DUI’s and get probation. Only in Washington County is that considered normal.

  5. The burden now is on the city and county to prove that the alleged marijuana is not hemp. Is the city and county budgeted to send samples to labs to prove it’s not hemp? A good lawyer will get a lot of people off for small amounts of marijuana because of this glitch in the law.

    Travis County Attorney’s Office will now reject misdemeanor posses­sion of marijuana charges filed from June 10 forward, unless they’re accompanied by a lab report. Travis County District Attorney has announced the dismissal of 32 felony cases related to possession or delivery of marijuana. County officials estimate that it will take eight to 12 months for law enforcement to sort out their processes to test cannabis.

    The Tarrant County District Attorney dismissed 234 misdemeanor marijuana possession charges on the grounds that crime labs are ill-equipped to test the amount of THC in confiscated cannabis.

    The only war America ever lost was the 40+ years “war on drugs.”

  6. The county makes more money,this way. I do use it but i think it is ridiculous to prosecute these cases nobody gets hurt.

  7. Cha- Ching at the Washington county court house too. Small county seats are looking for any means possible to increase revenue. Unfortunately prosecuting for minors drug possession has been very lucrative. For the county and the numerous attorneys. It is big business and a way to help pay for the big government future Justice Center. Eventually marijuana sales will become legal if only because it generates big profits and big tax revenue. At that time numerous small town county governments will be faced with finding replacement revenue to cover the already established big justice support system expenses. As we all know private for profit prisons are big business and have strong political support. On the other hand, there is reason for thousands of potential tourists to avoid visiting our county as long as these minor offenses are prosecuted. Just a sizable fine would do nicely, require far fewer county employees and just may be more profitable.

    1. Yeah, I find it ridiculous for someone to get busted for a small bag of personal use weed, when recreational use weed is legal in how many states now …. 8, 9 ? Even Canada made pot completely legal last year. But of course we prohibited alcohol sales before too, and that didn’t do anything but put money into the pockets of criminals, which is what Texas is allowing to happen by not waking up to the fact that pot is NOT the highly addictive, dangerous drug that Nixon had it scheduled as, simply to strike back at the hippies that were protesting his crooked political agenda.
      And you’re right Common Sense, it IS all about the revenue, and not at all about public service.

    2. That is great. I hope your synopsis is true. I do hope all the drug heads detour and stay out of Washington County. And if not ….. l hope they get arrested here …… even if only passing through. Remember ……. strong law enforcement is what made Texas …… Texas. Yahoo and Giddy Up !!!!!

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