Voters in Dallas will soon have the chance to decide whether the city will become the largest in Texas to decriminalize misdemeanor marijuana possession.
Although the measure won’t appear on the November ballot until then, organizers are optimistic that voters will support it, following the trend set by other cities.
The debate over marijuana laws often occurs at the local level, despite ongoing national discussions and legalization efforts in various states. This local focus is one reason why Ground Game Texas chose Dallas to advance its initiative to decriminalize possession of marijuana up to four ounces.
“We’re excited to engage with our community and ensure they are informed about what’s on the ballot,” said Catina Voellinger, executive director of Ground Game Texas.
After gathering enough valid signatures in June, the Dallas City Council approved the citizen-led charter amendment late Wednesday, putting it on the November ballot. If passed, Dallas would become the largest Texas city to halt police enforcement of misdemeanor marijuana possession.
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Similar decriminalization efforts have succeeded in Denton and Austin, prompting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to sue these cities, arguing that decriminalization violates state law.
In 2021, the Dallas Police Department stopped enforcing possession of up to two ounces of marijuana, provided it wasn’t linked to violent felonies.
Chief Eddie Garcia recently told the city council that increasing the possession limit to four ounces is unusual and wouldn’t necessarily reduce crime.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, along with councilmembers Carolyn King Arnold, Kathy Stewart, and Cara Mendelsohn, opposed sending the charter amendment to the ballot. Mendelsohn argued that it could benefit drug dealers and drug houses.
Voellinger pointed out that recent polls indicate strong public support for marijuana decriminalization and that fewer police interactions over marijuana possession could enhance public safety.
Councilmember Adam Bazaldua emphasized that the proposed charter amendment would only decriminalize possession up to a misdemeanor amount. “I’m eager to see how voters respond to this,” Bazaldua said.
