Officials in three of five Texas cities that voted to decriminalize weed are trying to derail those efforts

Although voters in five Texas cities voted during the midterms to decriminalize cannabis, reporting by Marijuana Moment suggests municipal officials aren’t exactly ready to get on board.

City councils and other local officials in at least three of those cities are actively working to thwart the reforms approved by voters, according to the news site. Here’s a quick rundown:

• The city council for the central Texas town of Harker Heights last month voted to repeal the ordinance approved by voters.
• Denton officials are challenging parts of its voter-approved measure, arguing  that the city doesn’t have the ability to dictate policy changes to local police.
• Killeen’s city council paused implementation of its ordinance, saying lawmakers need more time review the legal concerns it raises.

So far, the cities of San Marcos and Elgin, just east of Austin, haven’t attempted to swat down their voter-approved decriminalization measures, according to Marijuana Moment. However,  activists told the site they’re not planning to give up ground.

The outcome of those ballot measures could be a barometer for the outcome of a similar petition drive now underway in San Antonio. Organized by Ground Game Texas, the group that worked on other Texas decriminalization votes, the proposal would decriminalize weed and abortion while permanently banning no-knock warrants and police chokeholds.

Coming soon: SA Current Daily newsletter. We’ll send you a handful of interesting San Antonio stories every morning. Subscribe now to not miss a thing.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Related Stories

Texas cannabis decriminalization victories in midterms bode well for San Antonio petition drive

San Antonio activists are collecting signatures for a petition that would let local voters decide whether to decriminalize pot, among other city charter changes.

Voters in 5 Texas cities deciding on local cannabis decriminalization; San Antonio could be next

San Antonio activists are hoping to put charter amendments decriminalizing cannabis on the May 2023 ballot.

Texas city of San Marcos certifies petition for vote to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession

City council now must decide whether to pass the plan as written or put it on the November ballot.

Youth in the United States are using cannabis more and losing interest in alcohol, new study finds

The expansion of legal weed in the U.S. has made the substance easier for kids and teens to access while boosting the perception that it’s safe, researchers say.

Batchelor Trial, Cannabis Decriminalization: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week

Crime and punishment played heavily in the San Antonio Current‘s most-read headlines this week.

Cannabis reform group launches new petition after Texas’ Harker Heights rejects ballot proposition

‘These antidemocratic politicians are trying to throw away the votes of more than 5,000 Harker Heights residents — but we won’t let them,’ Ground Game Texas said.

Texas’ Bell County sues over Killeen’s cannabis decriminalization ballot measure

This appears to be the first lawsuit over Texas’ recent ballot initiatives calling for marijuana decriminalization.

North Texas city council ignores cannabis decriminalization ordinance passed by voters

Voters in Denton passed the ordinance six months ago with 70% approval.

Dallas and Lockhart could become the next Texas cities to decriminalize weed

Activists are now collecting signatures to get marijuana decriminalization on the November ballot.

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues 5 cities where voters cast ballots to decriminalize weed

The group behind the ballot initiatives called the suit an ‘obvious attempt to deflect from Paxton’s embarrassing legal jeopardy and diminishing political influence.’

This article appears in Nov 30 – Dec 12, 2022.