AUSTIN, Texas –Residents of Lockhart are expected to gather ahead of the Thursday evening city council meeting to protest a recent decision regarding marijuana decriminalization.
The protest stems from frustration over the council’s move to bypass a majority vote from the local electorate in favor of decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.
In November 2024, a portion of Lockhart voters supported the decriminalization initiative.
However, the city council has chosen not to align with this vote, citing the need to comply with state laws under which marijuana remains illegal in Texas.
Sarah Thompson, a Lockhart resident, expressed disappointment, stating the council’s action disregards the democratic process. The local advocacy group Lockhart Voices has organized the protest, aiming to pressure the council to reconsider and respect the majority vote.
Spokesperson Alan Rodriguez of Lockhart Voices emphasized that the protest is about upholding the democratic process, not just the marijuana decriminalization issue.
The protest is expected to draw a diverse group of residents, reflecting broad support for the measure across different segments of the population.
While the city council has not indicated plans to revisit the decision, the protest aims to keep pressure on officials.
Cities like Austin have moved forward with decriminalization, despite state prohibitions, and local advocates hope Lockhart can follow suit.
The city council has reiterated that it must act within the confines of state law and has acknowledged community frustration.