Instead of jail, those caught with less than four ounces of the drug pay a $150 fee and take a class to clear their record. District Attorney Kim Ogg says more than 9,000 people have taken part, and the program boasts a 75 percent success rate, Ogg says this up police to answer serious call such as rapes and robberies.
"Our prosecutors are stretched thin, and we want them working on the crimes against victims. Marijuana is not that."
Ogg says the program has saved the county $35 million.
Assistant Houston police chief James Jones says "we are not endorsing marijuana, but we are saying we have to be smart on how we use our resources. Maybe diversion is the best way to handle it."
People caught with marijuana in school zones or with pot that looks like it is packaged for sale cannot take part in the program.
