New policy for low-level pot use kicks in on Wednesday in Harris County Drug-education class will take the place of jail for possession of small amounts

HOUSTONED: What you need to know about Houston's new marijuana policy

Houston and Harris County are poised to decriminalize low-level possession of marijuana in a sweeping move that puts the area at the forefront of efforts in Texas to halt minor drug arrests that clog jails and courts.

Click through for a primer on what is on the horizon for the area... less HOUSTONED: What you need to know about Houston's new marijuana policy

Houston and Harris County are poised to decriminalize low-level possession of marijuana in a sweeping move that puts the area at the ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close New policy for low-level pot use kicks in on Wednesday in Harris County 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

A new policy set roll out Wednesday puts Harris County at the forefront of national efforts to keep small-time pot smokers out of jail, joining a growing move to relax or eliminate criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Anyone found with less than 4 ounces of marijuana — a misdemeanor under Texas law — now will have the option to avoid criminal charges altogether by taking a four-hour drug education class.

REACTION: Patrick blasts Ogg's pot policy, but other lawmakers more supportive

It's one of the "more extensive pretrial marijuana diversion programs in the nation," said Miriam Krinsky, a board member of Harvard Law School's Fair Punishment Project. "This is the first of many steps by prosecutors ... to advance thoughtful, smart and fair approaches to criminal justice practices."

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg's new policy to allow a drug-education class without a citation or arrest seems to be unique, however, by keeping offenders out of court even for larger amounts of marijuana than most cities allow.

BACKGROUND: New policy marijuana will save time, money, DA's office says

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez have endorsed the plan, which is expected to save more than $25 million a year in costs for jails, prosecutors, courts, police officers' time, crime labs and defense attorneys.

For the full story on how the new Harris County policy stacks up with other efforts across the country, visit HoustonChronicle. com.

See how the Donald Trump administration's policies could clash with the marijuana laws in California in the video above.