The City of Denton & the Denton Police Dept. issued a statement saying that some provisions “will not be enforced until Congress and the Texas legislature amend cannabis laws.”
Denton (WBAP/KLIF) – Denton voters have given a thumbs up to one of the Lone Star State’s first pot legalization measures.
Proposition B which targets misdemeanor pot possession offenses in the city passed overwhelmingly by 71%. When implemented Denton police will be required to handle pot possession differently; eliminating all arrests and citations for starters. They also cannot use the scent of marijuana in a vehicle as a reason to search it.
In reaction to the vote, Nick Stevens from the grassroots group ‘Decriminalize Denton‘ said that it was “not surprising… and humbling simultaneously. ”
WBAP’S Kim Lampkins stayed updated on the organization’s efforts since early this year when the group launched a petition drive in an effort to get the initiative on the midterm ballot.
Listen to a recap below:
On election night, Decriminalize Denton tweeted about its milestone accomplishment.
Proposition B:
- Eliminates all citations and arrests for possession of misdemeanor amounts of marijuana (cannabis), except in some limited circumstances
- Prevent Denton police from giving citations for drug paraphernalia in lieu of a possession of marijuana charge
- Prohibit Denton police from using the odor of marijuana or hemp as probable cause for search or seizure expect when an active felony investigation is involve.
The ordinance and other election results in Denton are expected to be certified in in December.
Other marijuana decriminalization measures passed in other areas of Texas, including San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Harker Heights . Austin passed such an ordinance in May.
(Copyright 2022 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from the Denton Record Chronicle.)
