As Texas Cannabis Collective reported in July, a team of highly motivated individuals have been working with El Paso City Council to bring about changes when it comes to how the City of El Paso deals with misdemeanor cannabis possession. Currently, unless it is your first offense of any kind, the people of El Paso continue to face arrest and jail time for possessing any amount of cannabis. If it is your first offense ever, El Paso currently has a “First Offenders” Program that was set into motion by the current District Attorney Jaime Esparza.
On November 12, 2019, the El Paso City Council will take up Agenda Item 20.5 – seeking and discussion and action to approve a resolution implementing a cite and release program for Class A and B possession of marijuana. Representatives Alexsandra Anello and Dr. Sam Morgan filed the resolution on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 after Anello, Attorney Alexandra Serra and myself finalized the document.
Advocates from El Paso NORML and LegalizEP have been working with Anello, Morgan, and the rest of City Council over the course of the last few months, providing arrest statistics and data showing just how much taxpayer money and police resources are possibly wasted by arresting and booking for misdemeanor marijuana possession.
This resolution comes after numerous counties in Texas have in some way implemented a type of program ending the arrest of low-level marijuana possessions, and after the Texas Department of Public Safety have instructed their officers to not arrest for low-level offenses as well.
If you are in the El Paso area and would like to speak in favor of the resolution, please register by of one of the listed ways listed below, by 8:45 AM, Tuesday November 12, 2019. You can also view a copy of the full resolution below. El Paso, you wanted a way to get involved, here it is. Even if it is just to come and watch how your local government works and fill the room, EL PASO NEEDS YOU!
Here is the info to register to speak for, on, or against the cite and release resolution coming up this Tuesday, November 12th. I don’t have a time as of now, but we are trying to request that they move it up from where it currently sits on the agenda. If that happens, you will need to be there by 9:00 AM. El Paso, WE NEED YOU!
This form is only available 12:00 AM Friday to 9:00 AM Tuesday, let’s beo n the safe side and say 8:45 AM.
City Clerk: (915) 212-0049 – Must also call and register by Tuesay 8:45 AM
City Clerk Email: cityclerk@elpasotexas.gov – Must also call and register by Tuesday 8:45 AM
Many of you have asked how you can get invloved. This is your chance. Even if you don’t want to register to speak, just show up in support. We need to show City Council that we want them to STOP Arresting El Paso.
Press Release coming soon.
