Relating to the criminal and licensing consequences of certain offenses relating to the possession of marihuana, certain tetrahydrocannabinols, certain synthetic cannabinoids, and drug paraphernalia; imposing a fee.

HB 3242 changes how Texas handles minor cannabis possession cases by requiring officers to issue citations instead of making arrests for specific offenses, such as possession of marijuana, certain THC products, or drug paraphernalia under Health and Safety Code Sections 481.1161(b)(1), 481.121(b)(1), or 481.125(a). It establishes deferred prosecution for first-time offenders of these offenses, allowing courts to delay sentencing if the person hasn’t had a similar charge in the past year. Courts must also notify defendants in writing about their right to clear these records through expungement. The bill directly affects individuals charged with these specific cannabis-related offenses in Texas.