Denton Texas City Council Overrules 71% Voter Mandate On Marijuana Possession Proposition

The Denton City Council decided against a marijuana-related proposition that was passed by 71% of voters six months ago.

What happened: Denton voters fought for a measure that would stop arrests and citations for some cannabis possession cases; the measure passed last year. On Tuesday, Denton City Council decided to go against the wishes of its residents, reported CBS News.

The original proposition sought to allow arrests for marijuana possession only if they were related to the investigation of a felony-level narcotics case designated as high-priority or a violent felony.

Denton police officers shared their concerns about the measure, saying that based on their experiences cannabis cases often result in searches that help combat illegal firearms and criminal activity.

Marijuana advocates argued that weed is harmless and that it provides medical help for clinical conditions as well as everyday stress.

The council disapproved the measure in a 4-3 vote.

While the Mayor stressed that law enforcement is still allowed to decide whether it should cite or arrest for cannabis possession based on discretion, cannabis proponents argued they need more assurance they won’t be arrested.

Recent Cannabis Developments In Texas

The legislative session in Texas recently ended with Senate members skipping consideration of House-passed measures to decriminalize marijuana, streamline expungements and allow doctors to recommend medical cannabis instead of opioids to patients with chronic pain. In doing so, lawmakers officially killed the push to enact the policy change.

In May, San Antonio residents rejected a ballot measure that would have decriminalized recreational cannabis. The measure sought to decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses. It also stipulates that police cannot "consider the odor of marijuana or hemp to constitute probable cause for any search or seizure."

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