The 2022 midterm elections were historical and surprising for many on several fronts. In addition to the unexpected senate and house results, there were an unusual number of historic ballot measures passed on everything from abortion rights to cannabis legalization.
By now, you have likely read that Maryland and Missouri became the twentieth and twenty first states to legalize recreational adult use cannabis. North Dakota, South Dakota and Arkansas all saw their legalization ballot measures fail. These ballot measures were the big headlines, but they were not the only ballot measures for cannabis voted on in this election. In fact, there were several important, albeit lesser known, ballot measures that passed during the midterm election that each help to end the prohibition and criminalization of marijuana in the United States.
5 Texas Cities Voted to Depenalize Marijuana Possession
In conservative Texas, where recreational marijuana is illegal and the drug itself is still highly criminalized, five cities voted to change how cannabis position is viewed in the eyes of the law. The five cities; Denton, Elgin, Harker Heights, Killeen and San Marcos all passed ballot measures that “largely prohibit local police officers from either arresting or citing people for Class A or Class B marijuana misdemeanors,” according to NORML.
This is definitely a victory for these major cities, especially in the deep red state of Texas, but these victories start creating a hyper-localized and confusing cannabis policy framework in the Longhorn state. “While these local advancements are important in mitigating harm on citizens and reprioritizing law enforcement time, they result in a patchwork of differing marijuana enforcement policies based on location,” said Texas NORML’s Executive Director Jax James, who believes this calls for lawmakers to take statewide reform measures in 2023.
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