Dallas officials have certified that enough valid signatures have been submitted on an initiative to decriminalize marijuana for it to be voted on this November.
The nonprofit political committee Ground Game Texas, known for spearheading local marijuana initiatives across the state, submitted over 50,000 signatures to Dallas City Hall last month. Now, the city has confirmed that at least 35,000 of these signatures are from registered Dallas voters, the requirement for making the November 5 ballot.
If enacted, the measure would prevent police from making arrests or issuing citations for Class A or B misdemeanor cannabis possession offenses, except in cases involving high-priority felony investigations for narcotics or violent crimes. Additionally, Dallas police would be prohibited from considering the odor of marijuana or hemp as probable cause for searches or seizures.
The city manager and police chief would be required to provide quarterly reports to the Dallas City Council on marijuana possession arrests or citations.
Catina Voellinger, executive director of Ground Game Texas, says “The Dallas Freedom Act is just that, it’s part of a larger movement that rejects division, creates the change we all deserve, and in true Texan spirit, unapologetically demands it now. From our signatures on the petition to our collective votes on the ballot, this is our power, our voice, our moral receipt, this is our Texas movement.”
Recently Travis County District Court Judge Jan Soifer dismissed a lawsuit from Attorney General Ken Paxton filed against the City of Austin for passing a similar marijuana decrim ordinance.
