News & Updates
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Marijuana Program News Release
Posted by Harris County District Attorney Office · January 01, 2018 8:30 PM
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Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program Unveiled
Posted by Harris County District Attorney Office · February 16, 2017 8:34 PM
Marijuana program participants given final opportunity to make things right
Hurricane Harvey disrupted countless lives, but prosecutors have a warning for those who have failed to complete a class required to avoid being charged with a crime over small amounts of marijuana.
They have until this coming March 1 to complete a program, or warrants will be filed for their arrests, making them subject to prosecution, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Thursday.
“There comes a time when everyone must be held accountable,” Ogg said. “That time is now, as the Houston region has largely recovered from a storm of historic proportions.”
The Harris County District Attorney’ s Office, in its commitment to keeping the public safe, spending tax payer money responsibly and providing equal justice for all, is instituting a new policy affecting the prosecution of thousands of misdemeanor marijuana cases.
The office will use its Texas Legislature-mandated discretion to divert offenders in possession of small amounts of marijuana starting March 1.
The Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program was made public Thursday by District Attorney Kim Ogg, who was joined at a news conference by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, Pct. 1 Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and other officials.