Austin voters approve measure to decriminalize pot

Voters in Austin, Texas, over the weekend approved a ballot proposal that would decriminalize cannabis and ban the use of “knock orders” by police.

Just over 85% of voters approved Proposition A on Saturday, according to local television station KXAN, which said the measure will “formalise a city policy that was introduced in 2020 when then-Police Chief Brian Manley announced his officers were saying no.” would summon or arrest more pot felony offenders.” This policy change was the result of a unanimous vote by the then Austin City Council, KXAN reported.

According to local television station KVUE, the measure does not legalize cannabis in Austin, but “ultimately prohibits law enforcement officers from arresting and arresting individuals for low-level marijuana offenses, such as possession of small amounts of weed or related paraphernalia, unless so.” is linked to a more serious crime.” In addition, the city “also would not pay for testing of substances suspected to be marijuana, which is an important step in substantiating drug allegations,” the station said.

Under the newly passed ordinance, Austin police officers “are not permitted to issue subpoenas for most Class A or Class B misdemeanours,” according to the KVUE.

“In Texas, a Class A offense is possession of 4 ounces or less but more than 2 ounces. A Class B misdemeanor is possession of 2 ounces or less,” according to the station, which said the ordinance takes effect immediately.

The written ordinance states that Austin police officers may not issue subpoenas or make arrests for such Class A or B offenses unless it is part of the “investigation of a felony-level narcotics case that has been classified as a high priority investigation by a police commander, Deputy Chief of Police or Austin Police Commissioner” or when it is part of a violent crime investigation.

The new local ordinance is the result of efforts by a group called Ground Game Texas, which led the campaign to get Proposition A on Austin’s ballot this year.

In January, the Austin City Council approved the nomination for the city’s May 7 special election.

Ground Game Texas collected more than 33,000 signatures – well above the required 20,000 signature threshold – from voters in Austin to allow the measure to qualify for the special election.

The group celebrated Saturday’s overwhelming victory, saying it serves as proof that voters in the Lone Star State are ready for cannabis reform.

“This is an extremely clear sign to the rest of Texas that this is something that is possible. That a city can decide to end marijuana enforcement,” said Mike Siegel, co-founder of Ground Game Texas, as quoted by Texas public radio station KUT. “And second, that it’s extremely popular.”

The station reported that Ground Game Texas is currently “working on similar ballots in other central Texas cities, including San Marcos and Elgin.”

Medical cannabis is legal in Texas, but adult use of marijuana is not.

Last year, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation that expanded the number of requirements for medical cannabis treatment in the state.

Abbott is up for re-election this year, and there are signs that legalizing cannabis could become a major campaign issue. The incumbent’s Democratic challenger, Beto O’Rourke, has repeatedly expressed support for ending the pot ban throughout the race.

“Legalizing marijuana is the right thing to do. We can stop jailing Texans for a substance that’s legal in the rest of the country and allow police to focus on violent crime. And it will generate nearly $1 billion in new government revenue and tax savings annually,” O’Rourke said on Twitter in January.