Dear John,
This past week, the Fifteenth Court of Appeals—created by Governor Abbott and stacked with judges handpicked by him—ruled that the voter-approved marijuana decriminalization ordinances in Austin and San Marcos are unenforceable. This court reversed fair rulings by local judges and ignored the 82% of San Marcos voters and 86% of Austin voters who supported the policy at the ballot box. It’s clear these rulings weren't about serving justice—they were about silencing progress. But our communities aren’t backing down.
These decisions don't change the fact that the people of Austin and San Marcos spoke with one voice. They don’t change the fact that for years, the ordinances protected residents from arrest and criminalization over low-level possession. And they definitely don't change our commitment to this fight.
It changes how we fight—not why we fight.
These rulings mark a shift in the legal landscape, but they do not change our commitment to decriminalization or the communities who’ve fought for it. We're actively adjusting our language and strategy to ensure continued impact and legal compliance, and we remain focused on achieving meaningful reforms at the local level. These adaptations are part of our broader commitment to building resilient, people-powered campaigns that can withstand—and outlast—political interference.
We’ve fought long odds before and won. We can meet this challenge, too—with your help.
John, can you chip in $25 to fund our work, so we can keep showing up? Your support is critical at this moment, as we organize in the face of this ruling.
En solidaridad,
Catina and the Ground Game Texas team
Ground Game Texas is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Paid for by Ground Game Texas. Contributions to Ground Game Texas are not tax deductible.
PO Box 383 Manchaca, TX 78652-9998 | [email protected]
