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KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – Some Central Texans is perhaps celebrating now that marijuana is decriminalized in two Bell County cities. However officers mentioned adoption of this proposition could also be challenged.
Proposition A handed with overwhelming assist on Tuesday: 64% voted sure in Harker Heights whereas 69% voted sure in Killeen.
In each cities, the measure will decriminalize possessing lower than 4 ounces of marijuana for private use and now not permit legislation enforcement to cease somebody as a result of they smelled the drug.
KWTX Information 10 talked with two Killeen Council members who gave differing accounts on the subsequent steps. A metropolis spokesperson later clarified that council members will merely canvass, or confirm, the votes on Nov. 22. That is frequent observe for any election.
After verifying the votes, former Killeen mayor and present Killeen metropolis council member Jose Segarra mentioned the council will meet with an lawyer to debate the subsequent steps.
“We have now to determine what the subsequent steps are as a result of we’ve by no means had something on our poll that straight contradicts state legislation,” he mentioned.
Since 1931 it has been unlawful to make use of or possess marijuana underneath Texas state legislation. Segarra mentioned the council could maintain a vote between council members relying on suggestions from their lawyer.
When requested if there’s any probability this proposition received’t go into impact, Segarra mentioned that’s what the council is attempting to determine now with their lawyer.
Jerry Financial institution, assistant metropolis supervisor for the town of Harker Heights, informed KWTX Information 10 that two steps stay for the proposition to enter impact. First, the Harker Heights metropolis council should canvass the votes. Then the ordinance have to be revealed in its entirety within the newspaper.
As soon as the ordinance is adopted, the Metropolis Council can amend or repeal it. Financial institution launched the next assertion to KWTX Information 10 partially:
“The Metropolis employees, after session with the Metropolis Legal professional, believes that the initiative ordinance is inconsistent with the State Structure. Due to this, will probably be our advice to the Metropolis Council to totally repeal the ordinance.
The Metropolis takes no place on the problem of the legalization of marijuana. The State of Texas units these legal guidelines and if the general public needs modifications to those legal guidelines then the State Legislature is the suitable venue to hunt these modifications.”
One concern in Killeen proper now going in opposition to state legislation is the legislative session on the Capitol proper across the nook.
“We’re at all times in search of funding from our state and we’re at all times lobbying the state whether or not it’s roads, or tax incentives,” Segarra mentioned. “I simply don’t need them to return again and say ‘nicely you’re not following our state legal guidelines.’”
He expects each side of the coin to battle it out within the courts.
“It’s going to be fascinating on the subsequent steps ahead to see what occurs as each side battle it out and so they get able to see what occurs on the state degree,” he mentioned.
Copyright 2022 KWTX. All rights reserved.
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