At the city level in Texas, three marijuana decriminalization measures were on their way to victory Tuesday night in the cities of Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockhart, winning with more than 60% support on every ballot question.
These efforts all require city law enforcement to deprioritize marijuana crimes and legalize personal possession and consumption of marijuana, but state legislatures are reluctant to participate in the marijuana trade. As such, there is no path forward for entrepreneurs interested in participating in the cannabis trade. Expands Texas’ restrictive medical marijuana program.
All three decriminalization efforts were carried out by the same campaign, Ground Game Texas.
In Dallas, Prop. R, also known as the Dallas Freedom Act, won with more than 66% of the vote, allowing city police to arrest people for possession of 4 ounces or less of marijuana, unless the case involves an actual case. Prosecution will be prohibited. WFAA reported on an extensive felony investigation. The new law also prohibits law enforcement from using the smell of marijuana to justify searches and seizures.
In Bastrop, Prop. M won with 69% of the vote, similar to the measure in Dallas that would prevent local police from arresting or prosecuting people for possession of Class A or B marijuana unless it is part of a larger investigation. Marijuana Moment reported that it will be prohibited to do so.
And in Lockhart, Proposition A won with 68% of the vote, enacting the same policy as in Bastrop. It would also prohibit law enforcement from testing marijuana to determine whether the substance in question is marijuana or hemp, Marijuana Moment reported.
The decriminalization victory is part of a pattern in Texas, with six other municipalities already approving similar measures, including Austin, Denton, Elgin, Harker Heights, Killeen and San Marcos, Marijuana Moment said. reported. Those moves prompted legal action from conservative state Attorney General Ken Paxton, but so far local laws have been challenged in court. Another marijuana decriminalization issue was defeated in San Antonio last year.
Efforts to legalize marijuana through the state Legislature have so far been thwarted because Texas lacks an independent campaign mechanism to get statewide ballot questions before voters.
The state has developed a strong market for drug products in recent years, with approximately 8,000 registered hemp dealers operating in Texas. But the future of Texas’ cannabis market remains up in the air, with the sector likely to be cracked down by lawmakers in the next legislative session in 2025.
