In January, the Austin City Council unanimously passed a resolution that restricted city funds or city personnel from being used to create THC testing protocol and directed Austin Police Department (APD) to stop citing or arresting for offenses where the DA will not bring charges, such as low-level marijuana possession (PoM). Part of the resolution included a deadline for an update on the implementation, including changes to policies and procedures.
In a memo dated May 8, 2020, APD Police Chief Manley wrote to the Austin City Council to ask for an extension on his implementation report due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. APD has requested a new date of June 1, 2020. In the memo, Manley does confirm that APD has stopped all development of testing for THC but are looking for vendors that can provide testing for the cases outlined in the resolution.
We look forward to reviewing the implementation reports. Thank you to all the Austinites that supported this important resolution.
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