Five City Council members and San Antonio’s top law enforcement leaders say that San Antonio should consider treating the possession of small amounts of marijuana “like a traffic ticket.”

On March 1, Harris County became one of the first entities in the state to divert offenders found with 4 ounces or less of marijuana away from jail and into a drug education program, with a $150 fine. Since then, the program has caught the attention of lawmakers and public officials across the state, including several leaders in the Alamo City.

Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas “Nico” LaHood said although he has reservations about Harris County’s policy, he could see a program here that would treat low-level marijuana crimes “like a traffic ticket,” where the accused could receive a summons and be able to contest their citation in court, or enter a program.

“That’s more pragmatic,” he said.

Currently, Texans found in possession of two ounces or less of marijuana commit a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and six months in jail.

In 2007, the Texas Legislature enacted the “cite-and-release” law, which allows law enforcement agencies in the counties that participate to issue citations to people who commit misdemeanor offenses and appear in court instead of going to jail.

“It’s a win-win for everybody if done correctly,” LaHood said of lessening punishment.

The possibility also has the attention of Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

“Here in Bexar County, we’re looking at ways of dealing with marijuana possession along with other nonviolent misdemeanors,” he said.

Sgt. Jesse Salame, San Antonio police spokesman, said the department wants to watch Harris County’s program.

“We would like to take a look at what this other jurisdiction has done and see how their program is modeled and work with city leadership and the DA’s office to determine if that’s something to consider here,” Salame said.

Half of the City Council indicated they could support a policy to lessen marijuana penalties in Bexar County.

“I think we need to have broader discussions about marijuana and what it means,” said District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño, who is interested in seeing how such a change might help San Antonio’s large community of veterans.

He said “natural remedies,” like marijuana, might be more effective in treating post traumatic stress disorder than a “cocktail version of pain killers.”

Leslie Garza, a spokeswoman for Mayor Ivy Taylor, said the mayor would not make a statement on the matter until it becomes an issue here.

A 2015 Texas Department of Public Safety report found that 61,748 people were arrested for marijuana possession of various quantities. Bexar County saw 2,477 people arrested for carrying 2 ounces or less of marijuana in 2016, Salame said.

Derek Roberts, spokesman for District 2 Councilman Alan Warrick, said Monday that the councilman supports a similar policy here and would meet with SAPD Chief William McManus on the matter.

Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, who represents District 3, and District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzalez generally are supportive of the idea and would like to see how Harris County’s policy works.

“If it means that we take our own scalpel to the policy and come up with something that makes sense for San Antonio, I don't think there's an objection to experiment with the concept of reducing the burden,” District 4 Councilman Rey Saldaña said.

Councilmen Ray Lopez, Ron Nirenberg and Joe Krier did not respond to multiple requests for comment. District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher declined to comment, and District 7 Councilman Cris Medina said he needed more information before commenting.

State lawmakers filed a slew of bills this legislative session that would considerably reduce penalties for marijuana possession. House Bill 81 would eliminate jail time for offenders carrying an ounce or less of marijuana, and remove the threat of arrest. Carrying an ounce or less would instead result in a $250 fine and the marijuana would be seized.

Six other bills seeking to lessen punishment for offenders carrying small amounts of marijuana, including one regarding use of medical marijuana, were also filed this session.

To date, 18 states have legalized medical marijuana and nine others, including Washington, D.C., allow the drug for recreational use, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a nonprofit lobbying group working to legalize marijuana.

LaHood said when he’s ready to sit down and work with other agencies to create a policy, he wants to get it right the first time.

“I want to make sure when we do it, we think about it thoroughly, use everybody’s wisdom, and roll it out one time, (so) it’s smooth and it’s permanent.”

Staff Writer Elizabeth Zavala contributed to this report.

kbradshaw@express-news.net