Three Texas cities—Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop—recently approved measures to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
This decision reflects a growing movement in the state, where local communities are pushing back against strict marijuana laws, even as the state of Texas has yet to legalize the drug.
Dallas, the largest city to vote for decriminalization, passed Proposition R with about 67% of voters in favor. This makes Dallas the biggest city in Texas to decriminalize marijuana possession. Under the new law, Dallas police will no longer arrest or ticket individuals for possessing small amounts of marijuana—specifically, under four ounces—unless it’s part of a more serious crime or narcotics investigation.
To understand what this means, it’s important to break down Texas law on marijuana. A Class A misdemeanor applies to someone who possesses more than two but less than four ounces of marijuana. A Class B misdemeanor covers possession of two ounces or less. Under Proposition R, these minor offenses will be deprioritized by law enforcement, reducing arrests and citations for low-level cannabis possession.
Yeah, he should go ahead and legalize marijuana too. That was one of the promises that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris made prior to being elected and here. We are four years later and we’re still putting people in prison for marijuana ruining lives over a plant.
— MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE 🗡 (@MasterIntegrity) November 7, 2024
Many advocates argue that this move is long overdue. Supporters believe that decriminalizing marijuana will help prevent unnecessary arrests, reduce the strain on the city’s overcrowded jail system, and allow police to focus on more serious crimes. There’s also a growing acknowledgment of the potential medical benefits of marijuana for issues like anxiety, which has helped shift public opinion toward decriminalization
In Central Texas, voters in Lockhart and Bastrop also overwhelmingly supported decriminalization measures. Proposition A in Lockhart and Proposition M in Bastrop passed with more than 67% and 69% of voter approval, respectively. Like Dallas, these cities have decided to stop prioritizing arrests or citations for individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana.
While smaller than Dallas, Lockhart and Bastrop’s decisions are just as significant. Both cities are located in the Texas Hill Country, which has grown rapidly in recent years as more people move away from Austin in search of affordable housing. The passage of these measures reflects the changing attitudes of people in more suburban and rural parts of Texas, where marijuana criminalization is no longer seen as necessary or productive.
The push for decriminalization in all three cities has largely been led by Ground Game Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit focused on progressive issues such as voter engagement and criminal justice reform. The organization was key in organizing petitions and gathering signatures to get these measures on local ballots.
Ground Game Texas’ success in these cities is part of a broader trend. In recent years, they’ve helped pass similar decriminalization laws in cities like Austin, Denton, and Killeen. Their efforts indicate that grassroots movements can have a real impact, even in a conservative state like Texas.
“Marijuana is an herb and a flower, not a crime. Proposition R in Dallas is about fairness and freedom. It’s long past time to end the criminalization of weed in Texas, and I’m proud to support Ground Game Texas in their efforts. Vote for Prop R and let’s move forward together,” said Willie Nelson on X.
The Bigger Picture: Texas and Marijuana Laws
While the votes in Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop are a victory for those in favor of cannabis reform, marijuana remains illegal under Texas state law.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has spoken out against these decriminalization measures, claiming they violate Texas law. In fact, Paxton’s office has sued other Texas cities, such as Austin, Denton, and Killeen, which passed similar decriminalization laws in recent years.
The legal language in the new measures hints at the possibility of state intervention. The amendments passed in Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop include provisions that state, “Unless and until a binding act of state or federal court requires otherwise…” This means that if the state of Texas or a federal court steps in, the cities will still deprioritize marijuana possession as the lowest enforcement priority.
The votes in Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop represent a growing trend in Texas, where more cities are choosing to change how they enforce marijuana laws. Harris County, home to Houston, has already implemented a similar diversion program to keep people out of jail for low-level possession charges. Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, has also moved to deprioritize marijuana arrests.