Dallas Residents to Vote on Weed Decriminalization in November

The Dallas City Council voted 11-4 on Aug. 14 to place a marijuana decriminalization proposal, the Dallas Freedom Act, on the November ballot.

"Established data shows that our current antiquated, prohibition-era marijuana laws have a disproportionate impact on Black and brown people,” - Councilmember Chad West.

The act proposes that police do not ticket or arrest for less than four ounces of marijuana. Currently, two to four ounces carries a Class A misdemeanor charge, and under two ounces is a Class B misdemeanor.

The full proposal includes:

• Police will not use the odor of marijuana or hemp as probable cause for searches unless in a police investigation.
• No arrests or citations for Class A or B misdemeanors related to marijuana, except in limited cases.
• No city funds for THC testing unless for toxicology or violent felony investigations.

The ballot measure comes after a petition by Ground Game Texas with 50,000 signatures, almost double the required minimum.

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia disagrees with the proposal, stating that four ounces is not a small amount and is not for personal use.

Link to Dallas Freedom Act petition: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19ugJV820daY3OHO3Y_Wz1khH1KP2gEiB/view

Sources:

• The Dallas Morning News
• KERA
• Ground Game Texas
• norml.org