Austin marijuana measure could be coasting to victory in May election

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beginning subsequent week, a marijuana poll initiative will go earlier than Austin voters, and it may coast to a simple victory with no organized or vocal opposition in sight.

Proposition A would successfully decriminalize small quantities of marijuana and would additionally finish the apply of “no-knock warrants” by Austin police.

“These are clearly two well-liked reforms that, for no matter cause, haven’t been executed because the state degree, so Austin is taking the lead,” mentioned Mike Siegel with Floor Recreation Texas, the group behind Prop A.

Siegel and his staff gathered roughly 34,000 signatures to get the measure on the Might 7 poll. Early voting begins subsequent Monday, April 25.

On the marijuana finish, Prop A would formalize a metropolis coverage put in place in 2020, when then-police chief Brian Manley introduced (after some preliminary resistance) that his officers would now not cite or arrest these accused of misdemeanor pot offenses.

The change got here after a 9-0 decision vote by the Austin Metropolis Council.

On Wednesday, Council Member Vanessa Fuentes advised KXAN she nonetheless believes the thought is a no brainer.

“This can be a cost-effective measure when you concentrate on it,” Fuentes mentioned. “We don’t must be placing individuals in jail for low-level quantities of marijuana.”

In contrast to earlier, extra contentious propositions — like final November’s different “Prop A” initiative over police funding — there isn’t a clear opposition marketing campaign this time round.

Statewide attitudes on pot additionally look like shifting. A College of Texas at Austin and Texas Tribune ballot final June confirmed 60% of Texas voters say they assist the leisure use of marijuana, and Gov. Greg Abbott has signaled he’s open to reform.

KXAN reached out to present police chief Joseph Chacon. A division spokesperson mentioned Chacon wouldn’t be making any public feedback on Prop A, and despatched the next assertion:

“The Metropolis doesn’t maintain an official place on poll initiatives someway and we’re declining requests to share people’ opinions.”

APD Spokesperson

Austin Police Affiliation President Ken Casaday mentioned his union is “staying out of the marijuana dialog” for this election, although he did have some ideas on no-knock warrants.

“The Austin group must know in the event that they eliminate that, that takes away a instrument that we use with very violent felons,” Casaday advised KXAN.

You’ll be able to view a pattern poll forward of early voting on the Travis County Elections Division web site.