The Dallas City Council voted Wednesday to put a measure to decriminalize marijuana on the ballot in the November election, continuing a trend among Texas marijuana activists to reform cannabis policy at the local level. The measure, called the Dallas Freedom Act, would decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis by adults.
The Dallas City Council voted on Wednesday to decriminalize marijuana. … (+)
In June, the nonprofit social justice advocacy group Ground Game Texas submitted petitions with nearly 50,000 signatures from Dallas residents calling for the repeal of the city’s criminal prohibition on marijuana. If passed, the Dallas Freedom Act would decriminalize possession of less than four ounces of marijuana for adults 21 and older. The ballot proposal also requires the police chief and city manager to submit quarterly reports to the City Council on the policy change, including information on any arrests or citations for marijuana possession.
“The Dallas Freedom Act is about more than just marijuana – it’s a step toward broader social justice, smarter use of public resources, and protecting civil rights in Dallas,” Ground Game field director Natalie Marquez said in a statement from the group on Thursday. “This campaign is for the grandmothers who signed the petition to ensure their grandchildren never end up in bad relationships with the law. It’s for veterans who want to combat their PTSD with cannabis but are afraid of getting into legal trouble. This campaign is dedicated to everyone who has lost years of their life being locked up for a joint and to ensure no one else has to endure the same injustice.”
Dallas City Hall
At Wednesday’s meeting of Dallas city leaders, council members Adam Bazaldua, Chad West, Zarin Gracey and Omar Narvaez spoke in favor of the marijuana decriminalization measure. Gracey said the proposal was a “necessary change” for the city. When the proposal came up for a vote, the council voted 15-4 to put the Dallas Freedom Act on the ballot for the November general election.
Latest step in a series of efforts to decriminalize marijuana in Texas
Dallas’ marijuana decriminalization measure is the latest in a series of proposals to reform Texas cannabis policy at the local level. The cities of Austin, Denton, Elgin, Harker Heights, Killeen and San Marcos have already passed such measures, while voters in Bastrup and Lockhart will see a marijuana decriminalization measure on the ballot in the November 2024 general election.
“Ground Game’s work across the state underscores the stark disconnect between the will of Texans and the outdated, out-of-touch leadership that governs without engaging the communities it serves,” said Catina Voellinger, executive director of Ground Game Texas. “We don’t organize around hyperbole; we’ve seen firsthand the destruction these draconian laws have caused, and we say enough is enough.”
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the state’s Attorney General, Ken Paxton, oppose efforts to change cannabis regulation at the local level. In January, they filed suit against five cities that had approved a measure to decriminalize marijuana.
“Local communities like cities, towns and counties do not have the authority to override state law,” Abbot said in May, according to a report by Marijuana Moment. “If they want a different law to be passed, they need to work with their legislators. Let’s legislate to make sure that the state as a state passes some of the laws.”
