Harker Heights has now become the fifth city in Texas to add a cannabis reform option to the midterm election ballot, which will be taking place this November. The Harker Heights Initiative, with the goal to decriminalize marajuana possession in Harker Heights, comes from larger efforts of the activist group Ground Game Texas. The group, whose goal is to enact cannabis reform policies one city at a time, has already gained signatures from more than 25% of Harker Heights registered voters.
This comes a month after Austin gained enough voter signatures to have similar policy reform added to the ballot. The approval for cannabis reform comes as no surprise as a recent Texas poll showed 60% of voters supported the legalization of marijuana for any use. In addition to decriminalization approval, Austin has also shown overwhelming support for banning no-knock warrants. Besides Austin and Harker Heights, activists have also gained signatures in Killeen, Denton, and Elgin.
If the Harker Heights Freedom Act is approved, then the police will no longer be allowed to issue citations or make arrests in regards to Class A,or Class B, misdemeanor possession of marijuana offenses. Additionally, police will not be able to issue citations for residue or paraphernalia in lieu of a possession charge. Also odor can not be used as probable cause for a search or seizure. Before the act can be approved, the signatures will need to be authorized by city officials in order to make sure the goal has been reached. The new policy will be one of many that will now give citizens the opportunity to vote on cannabis reform, as there are currently very few processes that allow citizens to vote on the matter.
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