Supporters of the the Lockhart Freedom Act have submitted more than twice the number of signatures required to put the measure to a vote this November.
At a press conference today, Campaign Director Elle Cross says proponents of the initiative have submitted nearly 1,000 signatures with the city clerk’s office, more than twice the amount needed to put their measure to a vote of the people. However, the city will need to verify that enough of the signatures are valid (from registered Lockhart voters) before the measure can be officially placed on the November ballot.
The measure states that “Unless and until a binding act of a state or federal court requires otherwise, the Lockhart Police Department shall not make any arrest or issue any citation for Class A or Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession, except in the limited cases described by this policy”.
The ordinance also states that “Lockhart police shall not consider the odor of marijuana or hemp to constitute probable cause for any search or seizure, except in the limited circumstances of a police investigation pursuant to Section 12.05″.
Earlier this year Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against the cities of Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, and Denton for passing similar marijuana decrim ordinances.
According to the Texas Lyceum Poll released last week, 60% of registered voters in Texas are in favor of legalizing marijuana, with 73% in support of decriminalization.
