Texas Gov. Rick Perry Rick PerryOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs major conservation bill into law | Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official | Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Pebble Mine project Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official MORE (R) said Sunday it’s not “thoughtful public policy” to send children to prison for marijuana use.

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Speaking on CNN’s "State of the Union," Perry said his state has been looking at adjusting its penalties for criminal use of marijuana. He said prison time for using the drug might not be the best answer for offenders.

“Part of it goes back to making thoughtful decisions who you are sending to prison and what for. The idea that a kid has one marijuana cigarette, you send him to prison where they can learn to really be a hardened criminal is not thoughtful public policy,” Perry said.

Perry said intervention programs might be more helpful than prison to youth who are caught with marijuana.

“Use these drug courts. Put intervention programs into place, shock probation and keep those young people on a track to be productive citizens rather ending up in our prisons.”