Lubbock activists have launched a local campaign to decriminalize marijuana in their city.
The committee behind this initiative has filed paperwork with the city secretary for the Freedom Act Lubbock Ordinance. This gives them 60-days to collect 4,800 valid signatures. That’s about 25% of the registered voters who took part in the May municipal elections.
If the measure is approved, it will be sent to the city council to consider. However, if the city council does not approve the measure, then the proposal will be put to a vote.
Adam Hernandez, a spokesperson for the campaign, told Marijuana Moment that given the “political atmosphere” in the conservative city of Marijuana on Friday, activists “fully expect” lawmakers to vote against the proposed reform. However it would be “great” if it were implemented in a surprising move.
If the initiative passes, the local police will not be able to arrest or cite adults who are in possession of four ounces or less of cannabis unless a court order is issued by a state or federal authority. In the event that this does occur, the initiative states the “City policy shall be enforcement of Class A or Class B misdemeanor cannabis possession as its lowest enforcement priority.”
The measure’s text states that the goal is to “promote health, safety and general welfare for the people of Lubbock.” It also aims to “carefully allocate scarce city resources and reduce the risk of unfair enforcement practices while focusing the city’s resources on public safety issues of highest priority.”
In a Friday press release, the campaign stated that “six cities in Texas recently went through this process and their citizens voted overwhelmingly in support of decriminalizing cannabis within their borders.”
This includes the successful decriminalization vote in Austin and Delton.
has listed over 30 events, from farmers markets to Texas Tech University Football games, where they intend to collect signatures.
We definitely need funding. “We definitely need funding.” One of our problems in Lubbock, Texas is that we are an island – a conservative island – so if you would like to help us change the climate in Lubbock with financial donations, please do,” Hernandez said. They can also follow our pages on Facebook or Instagram.”
The decriminalization proposal that was put before San Antonio voters in May, and which included provisions that would prevent the enforcement of abortion restrictions, was defeated by a large majority.
The progressive group Ground Game Texas has led many local Texas cannabis campaigns, but it does not appear that they are involved in the Lubbock initiative.
In certain jurisdictions, where decriminalization was approved by voters, advocates have had to deal with issues.
The city council rescinded the ordinance shortly after Harker Heights voters approved it, citing concerns that the measure was in conflict with state law. But activists gathered signatures for a second initiative, and repealed it in May.
Killeen City Council temporarily suspended the implementation of a local ordinance that was approved by voters. They argued that they needed to address legal concerns before approving it, which is what they did. Bell County sued the policy in April.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking over 1,000 cannabis, drug policy and psychedelics bills that have been introduced in state legislatures this year. Patreon Supporters who pledge at least $25/month have access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
To get access, become a Patreon member and learn more about our Marijuana Bill Tracker.
—
The Texas House of Representatives this session passed a number of bills that would decriminalize cannabis, allow expungements, and give chronic pain patients access to medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids. But They ultimately stalled in the Senate . This has been the theme of cannabis reform measures for conservative legislators over the past several sessions.
In 2021 and 2019, the House adopted similar proposals for decriminalizing cannabis.
A Texas Democratic Senator brought marijuana legalization up on the Senate floor in May. He was trying to attach an amendment to a resolution that had nothing to do with the issue, allowing Texans the opportunity to vote at the polls to end prohibition. But , the symbolic proposal was ultimately rejected. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), in agreement with another member, agreed that the cannabis amendment was not relevant to the larger legislation.
According to a University of Texas/Texas Politics Project survey conducted last year, nearly 3 out of 4 Texas voters (72%) support decriminalizing cannabis. Over half (55%) of respondents said they support a broader legalization. Seventeen percent of respondents said that it should not be legalized at all.
The same institution also showed in March that a majority felt that state marijuana laws should “be less strict.”
Below, you can read the text describing the Lubbock marijuana decriminalization measures:
State Marijuana Regulations Tell Congress to Focus on More Than CBD By Regulating other Cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC
Photo by Philip Steffan.
The post Activists Kick Off Efforts To Decriminalize Marijuana In Another Texas City, With Signature Gathering Underway in Lubbock first appeared on Marijuana moment.
