While it is true that states across the nation have legalized marijuana, both medicinally and recreationally, you should know that Texas still remains one of the strictest states when it comes to drug possession enforcement. While you might think that having a small amount of marijuana in your possession is not that big of a deal, in the state of Texas, it is considered a serious criminal offense. Drug possession, in general, includes penalty groups that determine punishments depending on the controlled substance and the amount. It is important to understand the different penalties if you ever face any drug-related charges. 

Drug Possession Penalty Groups

There are four main drug penalty groups in Texas, with a few subsets. These penalty groups are determined based on the type of drugs involved. The groups are:

A few years ago, hemp was legalized at the federal level thanks to a Farm Bill that enables people to cultivate, sell, and possess the hemp plant and hemp-related compounds, such as CBD (cannabidiol). In these cases, the level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content found within the product must be less than .3 percent. Hemp and marijuana are both cannabis plants, but marijuana tends to contain much more THC, making it a drug that can provide its users with a high. Since the Farm Bill has made CBD products more common, and marijuana has been legalized in other states, Texas has also changed its policies. In June of 2019, Texas passed a bill legalizing hemp such that the state would be in agreement and coordination with the federal government. However, despite this new legislation, you cannot buy just any edible product that contains CBD, and possession of any product with a THC level above 0.3% could lead to potential criminal consequences. In some instances, possessing marijuana edibles could land you in jail, and some prosecutors in Texas are even issuing warnings to the public that the wrong edible could bring with it significant penalties.