Dallas Voters to Decide on Marijuana Reform
The TDR Three Takeaways on the Dallas Marijuana Reform Decision
- Dallas voters will decide on the proposed marijuana reform amendment in November.
- The “Dallas Freedom Act” seeks to decriminalize marijuana possession and restrict police actions related to cannabis.
- Local council members show strong support, but legal challenges from the state could arise.
Dallas voters will soon determine whether marijuana reform will be part of the city’s charter. This follows the successful certification of a petition by Ground Game Texas, which aims to advance social justice and democracy through the “Dallas Freedom Act.”
If approved, the amendment will direct the Dallas Police Department to stop issuing citations or making arrests for Class A or Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession. It will also prohibit the use of city funds or personnel to test cannabis-related substances to see if they meet the legal definition of marijuana. The smell of marijuana will no longer be probable cause for search and seizure, except in limited investigative circumstances, with penalties for officers who violate this policy.
The Dallas City Council must include these amendments in the charter package for voter consideration and cannot block them. “Legally, Council has no discretion on these matters—we must vote to add the amendments to the Charter package that voters in November will vote on,” Councilmember Chad West (D) said in an email newsletter, KERA News reported. “It will be up to the voters to determine whether or not to support the initiatives.”
District 1 Council Member Chad West expressed enthusiasm for the civic engagement the initiative has sparked and noted that a similar council-proposed amendment would save the city time and resources.
However, legal challenges are anticipated, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has previously sued cities like Austin and Denton for passing similar ordinances. Despite this, council members including Adam Bazaldua, Jaime Resendez, Zarin Gracy, and former member Phillip Kingston endorse the amendment.
With the petition now certified, the council will vote in mid-August to place the proposed “Dallas Freedom Act” on the November ballot. The final decision will rest with Dallas voters.
