How Long Will It Take Before Marijuana Is Legal In Killeen, Texas?
The law is just weird when it comes to weed in the United States. It seems a lot of people are open to legalizing it, at least for medical use, in most states and areas including the Killeen, Texas area.
There's a Lot to Unpack
Adding confusion to the issue is the difference between hemp, CBD, and medical marijuana. If the substance has less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) it’s considered hemp, which is actually legal in all 50 states.
Marijuana is not legal at the federal level.
However, the controversial plant is legal in 15 states for recreational use. 36 states and four territories allow the medical use of cannabis.
The laws about marijuana are also confusing, and changing regularly.
What Changed For 2022?
As of January 1st in Montana, 380 dispensaries in 29 counties are able to sell marijuana to both medical and recreational customers.
Since it's only legal state-wide and not across the nation, you are still not allowed to have marijuana at Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
Make sense?
What Is Happening With Pot Laws In Texas?
In Texas, a new medical marijuana law went into effect September 1st, 2021.
House Bill 1535 expanded the state’s compassionate use program. This allows people with any type of cancer and those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to be prescribed medical cannabis oil with higher THC levels.
The 2021 Texas law also expands the amount of people who qualify for a prescription, but remains one of the more restrictive programs in the nation.
Decriminalization In Central Texas
Recently, a local committee wanting to decriminalize marijuana in the City of Killeen asked to meet with the Killeen Police Department.
Police Chief Charles Kimble declined the invite several times. Meanwhile, KXXV reported the following statement from Killeen spokesperson Ofelia Miramontez:
"We want the community to know that department does not support to decriminalize marijuana and we will continue to follow the statute, Texas Health and Safety Code 481.121 – Possession of Marijuana, which is the Texas State Law."
It's interesting that while the decriminalization discussion is shut down in Killeen for now, Austin police haven't issued tickets or arrested individuals for possessing small amounts of pot since 2020. They will continue to arrest anyone selling the drug.
It would seem that while the attitude towards marijuana legalization is evolving, particularly in Central Texas, Killeen officials are not yet ready to change how the current laws are applied.
It will be interesting to see what happens in 2022! Do you think marijuana will become legal nationwide in the next few years?