Advocates in 3 Texas Cities Submit Signatures for Cannabis Decriminalization Ballot Measures

Advocates in the Texas cities of Bastrop, Dallas, and Lockhart have collected enough signatures to put a cannabis decriminalization question on November ballots, the San Antonio Current reports. City officials must still certify the signatures in order to put the issue to voters. 

Voters in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos have approved similar measures, led by Ground Game Texas. In May, voters in Lubbock rejected a decriminalization referendum, as did San Antonio voters last year; however, San Antonio’s measure was tied to larger criminal justice reforms. Voters in Harker Heights also approved the reforms, but the city council ultimately repealed the initiative.  

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) sued the cities that had approved the reforms, saying they “deliberately violate Texas law and promote the use of illicit drugs that harm our communities.”  

Last month, Texas District Court Judge Jan Soifer dismissed Paxton’s challenge, saying essentially there was no reason to proceed with a trial because Paxton had no legal justification to file the case. 

Advocates expect Paxton to appeal the ruling, but he cannot refile the case in district court as it was dismissed with prejudice.  

Texas is one of 19 states where people can still be jailed for low-level cannabis possession.