El Paso State Rep. Wants To Legalize Marijuana – Sort Of

State Rep. Joe Moody wants to make it a little less illegal for you to smoke marijuana.

Moody has introduced House Bill 507 which would make the possession of up to 1 oz. of pot punishable with just a $100 civil fine. Right now, you could go to jail and pay a fine of up to $2,000 for possession of any amount of pot. Moody says he is taking this step because the law in place right now doesn't work, but, he said he isn't working to legalize marijuana.

He said House Bill 507 would make possession technically illegal under the law, but it wouldn't be something that would show up on your criminal history.

The executive director of the El Paso chapter of NORML, or the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said society is paying for the court system, police officers, and jail time when people are arrested for possession, but we would save millions of dollars if House Bill 507 is passed.

The U.S. House of Representatives will take up the bill during the 84th legislative session, which begins in January.