A Texas advocacy group released a study on the impact of similar marijuana reform measures passed by voters during the 2022 elections in five different jurisdictions. The report found that these measures would keep hundreds out of jail even though they had led to a backlash from law enforcement.
Ground Game Texas’ report examines local reforms that have been adopted in Killeen and other cities, including San Marcos, Denton Harker Heights, Elgin. Julie Oliver, the executive director of the group, hopes that the report will “inspire more grassroots organizing across the state.”
She said this in a report that was released on Wednesday. We’re helping Texans understand that their voices matter, their votes are important, and they can influence their own destiny by engaging in civic engagement.
Austin voters approved a similar measure in May 2022, while activists in Lubbock recently a href=”https://www.marijuanamoment.net/texas-activists-collected enough signatures to put marijuana decriminalization on another local ballot lubbock officials announced/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>turned in enough signatures to put decriminalization on the local ballot there/a> if local lawmakers Austin approved a similar measure for May 2022. Lubbock activists recently submitted enough signatures so that decriminalization would be on the local ballot in Lubbock if local legislators don’t first pass it.
The Ground Game report in Killeen found that marijuana arrests dropped by 78 percent during the first six-month period following implementation. The group estimates that the change is likely to keep 300 people from the criminal justice system in the first year.
2022 Marijuana Report / Ground Game Texas
The report states that “San Marcos arrests are almost completely over,” protecting dozens (mostly college students) against criminal prosecution.
The group said that simply by appearing on local ballots the measures brought in more voters. “Voter participation efforts both facilitated election victories and significantly improved voter turnout for key constituencies including Black voters and youth voters (ages 18-29).”
Ground Game claims that the changes helped to improve public education both locally and throughout Texas.
The group discovered that in some cities the reforms had a smaller impact than expected due to local officials refusing to implement measures approved by voters.
reports that “Three Cities (Denton Harker Heights and Elgin), have failed to respect voters’ will and continue to arrest excessive amounts of marijuana.” Ground Game has worked with community groups to increase accountability through community organizing, public education, and electoral campaigns.
The organization, for example, noted that it had intervened in an issue between Bell County in Texas and the City of Killeen to defend the city’s cannabis enforcement. The group said that “in Harker Heights and Denton, we have supported candidates who pledged to enforce the laws adopted by voters.”
The City Council in Lubbock will decide Tuesday whether or not to adopt the decriminalization proposal after the Freedom Act Lubbock Committee submitted more than 10,000 signatures . The measure will be put to the local voters on the ballot if they reject it.
At least one member of the committee has indicated that he will vote against this proposal.
Mark McBrayer, a Councilman in Lubbock, told All Lubbock that “from my perspective they are asking our police officers and the city to not enforce the laws.” He added: “It’s important for citizens to know that they can petition their city council, or any other form of government with whatever grievances they may have.”
The Lubbock campaign announced last month that they had reached their signature collection goal, but would continue to petition until the deadline to ensure enough valid submissions were received and ” to show city leaders the amount of support this petition has.”
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 resources on public safety issues of highest priority.”
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.
Three more cities decriminalized even larger amounts of cannabis
The first time Marijuana Moment published the post Texas Marijuana Reform Group examines impacts of similar measures in five other cities before the Lubbock decriminalization vote.
