In a little over two months, voters in three Texas cities will consider ordinances that would decriminalize marijuana possession.
On the November 5 ballot in Lockhart, Bastrop and Dallas, Texas, are ordinances that propose to reduce penalties for possessing personal amounts of marijuana. Specifically, the measures would prevent law enforcement from arresting individuals found with up to four ounces of marijuana. Instead, they would receive a citation similar to a traffic ticket.
According to Ground Game Texas (GGT), the group behind the Dallas measure, the proposal would:
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Keep people out of jail for simple marijuana possession.
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Protect veterans who use marijuana for pain and PTSD.
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Save scarce public resources for greater needs.
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Lower City liabilities for police abuse cases.
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Get people excited to vote in local elections.
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Direct democracy in action.
“In past years, Dallas police issued thousands of citations and made hundreds of arrests for simple marijuana possession”, states GGT on their website. “These disproportionately targeted Black and Hispanic community members. To promote justice and avoid waste of tax dollars, we want to redirect resources towards real public safety solutions.”
Dallas is the third most populated city in Texas with around 1.3 million. Bastrop and Lockhart have a combined population of approximately 25,000.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against five cities that have passed marijuana decriminalization ordinances. In Austin and San Marcos, Paxton’s lawsuits have already been dismissed by county judges.
