The short answer is not any time soon. Slowly, states are beginning to legalize and/or decriminalize the use and possession of marijuana. However, Texas is a very conservative state, and I doubt the citizens of Texas would vote to legalize marijuana in the near future. However, many people no longer think that simple marijuana possession should result in incarceration and a criminal record. This attitude has trickled into the Dallas County District Attorney's office. If an individual is a first-time offender, the DA's office will generally offer what is called a "memo agreement." The terms of the memo agreement can vary on a case-by-case basis. Generally, the terms include UA's and community service. If an applicant successfully completes the program, all charges are dismissed. Once the charges have been dismissed, the individual can then take steps to have their record cleared. At the end of the day, keeping one's record clear is usually a client's biggest concern.
