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Dallas residents will vote to decriminalize marijuana in November

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In November, Dallas residents will have the opportunity to decide whether marijuana can be decriminalized in the city.

The Dallas City Council voted on August 14 to put a proposal to decriminalize marijuana on the ballot for the upcoming November election. The measure, known as the Dallas Freedom Act, is part of an effort by Texas cannabis activists to reform local cannabis policy. If passed, it would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for adult use.

The nonprofit social justice advocacy group Ground Game Texas started the petition to decriminalize marijuana. They submitted petitions with nearly 50,000 signatures from Dallas residents. A minimum of 20,000 signatures were required to be included on the ballot.

The Dallas Freedom Act proposes the following:

What is the Dallas Freedom Act?

The Dallas Freedom Act petition proposes that police stop issuing tickets or making arrests for those with less than four ounces of marijuana. Currently, possession of two to four ounces is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a one-year jail sentence, and possession of less than two ounces is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by 180 days in jail.

Further information in the proposal:

  • The Dallas Police Department shall not consider the odor of marijuana or hemp as probable cause for a search or seizure, except in the limited cases of a police investigation pursuant to subsection.
  • Unless and until a binding order of a state or federal court otherwise requires, the Dallas Police Department may not make arrests or issue citations for possession of marijuana as a Class A or B misdemeanor, except in the limited circumstances described in this policy.
  • No City resources or employees shall be used to request, conduct, or obtain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) testing of cannabis-related substances to determine whether the substance meets the legal definition of marijuana under state or federal law, except (a) for toxicology testing to ensure public safety or (b) for the investigation of a violent crime.

How close was the Dallas City Council vote on the Dallas Freedom Act?

The Dallas City Council has voted 11-4 to put the Dallas Freedom Act on the November general election ballot.

According to The Dallas Morning News, City Councilors Adam Bazaldua, Chad West, Zarin Gracey and Omar Narvaez expressed support for the marijuana decriminalization measure. West, who introduced the measure in June, said it was a necessary change for the city.

“Real data shows that our current, outdated prohibition-era marijuana laws have a disproportionate impact on black and brown people,” he said.

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia told elected officials that deviating from current marijuana policies would not be in the city's best interest.

“In my opinion, four ounces is not a small amount, even for personal use,” Garcia said in a KERA article. “According to my drug unit, the typical illegal purchase for personal use from a drug dealer in the city of Dallas … is about two to three dime bags.”

Where in Texas is weed decriminalized?

Here is a map from norml.org showing which cities currently have marijuana decriminalized.

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