Two Texas Cities Could Vote on Cannabis Decriminalization in Upcoming Election
Two Texas cities now look set to vote on partial cannabis decriminalization during the election later this year.
Yesterday, news broke that Lockhart residents may soon vote on decriminalizing low-level cannabis possession within city limits, following a successful petition effort.
On July 23, Lockhart City Secretary Julie Bowerman verified the Lockhart Freedom Act ballot petition.
The petition, supported by Mano Amiga Responsible Implementation (MARI) and Ground Game Texas, gathered over 900 signatures from city voters.
The Lockhart City Council is scheduled to meet on August 6, and Ground Game Texas officials expect the proposition to be on the November ballot.
If approved, the measure would decriminalize the possession of up to four ounces of cannabis within Lockhart. This initiative aims to reduce unnecessary arrests, prevent the negative consequences of such arrests, and save city resources.
“This campaign is about ending needless cannabis arrests, protecting our community, and demonstrating the power we hold together,” said Elle Cross, MARI’s campaign director.
It came just days after it was announced that Dallas residents would also vote on a measure to stop local police from arresting people for low-level cannabis offenses.
Activists from Ground Game Texas gathered over 50,000 signatures to support the initiative, which was verified by city officials on Friday (July 19) and will be on the November ballot.
The proposed law aims to make cannabis possession a low priority for law enforcement. It calls for changes in the city’s budget and police policies to ensure resources are directed away from misdemeanor cannabis enforcement and towards other public safety programs.
Currently, Texas law treats cannabis possession as a misdemeanor, which can lead to up to 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a criminal record. From 2017 to 2021, there were about 219,000 cannabis-related arrests in Texas, with 97% for possession only and 56% of those arrested being under 25 years old.
Several other Texas cities, including Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, and Denton, have already approved similar measures. Legal challenges to these laws have not been successful so far.
