People who were convicted of misdemeanor marijuana offenses in Harris County were granted extra time to complete a diversion program, but now that time is up.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the deadline for the Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program is March first.
The program, launched last year, gives violators 90-days to complete a four-day program taught by the Harris County Probation Department. Because of Hurricane Harvey, the county stopped issuing arrest warrants for those who failed to complete the classes.
“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.”
More than 3,000 people have enrolled in the program, but over half have failed to complete it. About 10,000 people each year are charged with misdemeanor possession in Harris County, and officials estimate the program saves the county 27-million dollars a year.
Ogg says, “Our community is safer when we keep people in the workforce. People have an opportunity to complete this class and get on with their lives."