When it comes to cannabis, Texas is one of the unfriendliest states in America. Recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, CBD (the non-psychoactive cannabis extract) and even hemp are all still prohibited in the Lone Star State. But the largest city in Texas is moving in the direction of decriminalization.

Marijuana will remain illegal in Houston, but the city’s top law enforcers want to enforce the law differently. Last week, Kim Ogg – the newly elected District Attorney of Houston’s New Harris County – vowed to uphold her campaign promise to reform marijuana laws. She is urging police officers to focus on violent criminals instead of busting people for misdemeanor marijuana crimes like simple possession.

So she vows to ensure that “all misdemeanor possession of marijuana cases will be diverted around jail.”

Ogg isn’t the only local law enforcer who feels that way. New Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also supports reducing punishments for non-violent cannabis offenders. Instead, he wants to focus on busting violent drug traffickers as well as dealers targeting Houston’s youth. [Read more at Civilized]