Voters In Three Texas Cities Voted To Decriminalize Marijuana

The push to decriminalize marijuana across Texas got a boost on Tuesday night when three Texas cities voted in favor of decriminalization. Voters in Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop all voted in ballot measures to decriminalize pot.

According to Chron.com, the new law in Dallas, which was listed as Prop R on the ballot, will prevent Dallas Police Officers from arresting or issuing citations for Class A or B misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses. A class A misdemeanor is when someone has 4 ounces or less of marijuana in their possession. Class B misdemeanor is when someone has 2 ounces of less in their possession. The exception to this is if the person in possession is part of a priority felony investigation for drugs or violent crime.

Texas Cities Easily Pass Marijuana Laws

Dallas, the third-largest city in Texas is now the largest city in Texas to pass a decriminalization measure. And the measure passed easily with 66.9% in favor of decriminalization.

In fact, the measure to decriminalize marijuana passed easily in all three Texas cities. According to CBSAustin.com, Bastrop voters passed the measure with 69.79% of the vote and Lockhart voted 67.95% in favor.

And it appears as though plenty of Republicans voted to decriminalize marijuana. While Dallas is considered a blue city, Bastrop and Lockhart are located in counties that overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump for President and Ted Cruz for the U.S. Senate.

READ MORE: Dallas Does What Lubbock Did Not With Weed Vote

Other Texas cities that have passed measures similar to those that passed on Tuesday include, Austin, San Marcos, Denton, Killeen, and Elgin. An attempt to decriminalize marijuana in Lubbock failed in May of 2024.

Will Texas Sue Dallas?

According to Chron.com, Ground Game Texas, based in Austin, was behind the ballot measure in all 3 cities where it passed on Tuesday.

However, this may not be the end of story. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has previously stated that ordinances seeking to decriminalize marijuana violate Texas law. Paxton has sued other Texas cities that have passed similar measures.