LOCKHART, Texas — Voters in Lockhart are at odds with city leaders over marijuana enforcement in the city.
Back in November, 68% of Lockhart voters approved a ballot proposition that decriminalizes the possession of marijuana of four ounces or less.
Some Lockhart City Council members say they should not adopt the measure since it conflicts with federal and state law, going as far as passing a resolution in December asking for clarity from state and federal legislators on cannabis regulation.
At a tense Lockhart City Council meeting on Thursday, more discussion took place around the issue, with several attendees asking the council if they “believed in democracy,” and the Mayor using his gavel to call for order several times.
At least 10 people took the podium, questioning the decisions of city leaders. During the meeting, city attorney Brad Bullock defended the resolution, bringing up the fact that the Texas Attorney General’s Office has sued several Texas cities for similar types of ordinances.
“That is like waving a red flag in front of Ken Paxton’s face. And guess what? You may not care, that’s right,” Bullock said. “However, I’ve been doing this for 30 years and the only thing I know … Is that when cities, taxpayers have to start paying the bills for these lawsuits, they don’t like that either.”
The ballot measure also stated that Lockhart police could not use the smell of marijuana as a probable cause for search or seizure. But one Lockhart resident, HalleyAnna Finlay, says implementing this policy would free up police resources.
“I see the fear that’s instilled with the threat that Ken Paxton could sue the city,” Finlay said. “But we have learned and watched with other cities that those cases have been dismissed, and so whatever fear this is, [it’s] behind being pulled over with a little bit of pot and [insisting] that we take them to jail. I just think it’s time, in 2025, that we calm it down.”
During the meeting, a council member did mention that this resolution needs to come back for another vote since their credibility and transparency as city leaders is now being questioned.
Ultimately, the council decided to bring a new resolution that will be up for a second vote. They have not announced a date for that vote as of yet.