Five Texan Cities Vote to Decriminalize Cannabis

Voters in five Texan cities have approved local cannabis decriminalization measures at the ballot box.

As part of the US midterm elections, voters in Denton, Elgin, Harker Heights, Killeen, and San Marcos were given the opportunity to support or shelve cannabis reform in their respective cities.

All five ballot measures received majority support. Voters in San Marcos were particularly enthusiastic about their decriminalization proposal; it’s estimated around 81% of voters in the city approved the measure, according to the Texas Tribune. 

Once the policy is enacted, residents in San Marcos will be able to possess up to four ounces (113 grams) of cannabis without fear of arrest.

Around 75% of voters in Elgin reportedly backed their decriminalization measure; the voter proportion was around 70% for both Killeen and Denton. Around 60% of voters in Harker Heights supported their cannabis policy.

Once the policies in all four of these cities are enacted, residents will be able to possess up to two ounces (57 grams) of cannabis without fear of arrest.

“These meaningful reforms will keep people out of jail and save scarce public resources for more important public safety needs,” Mike Siegel, political director of Ground Game Texas and a former Democrat congressional candidate, told the Texas Tribune. “We’re extremely happy with our results.”

Voters in Texas’ capital city, Austin, already voted to decriminalize cannabis possession in May by a majority of 86% to 14%.