Voter-Approved Cannabis Depenalization Ordinance Stopped by Dallas, Texas Officials

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In November 2024, Dallas, Texas, voters approved an ordinance called the Dallas Freedom Act (1). This measure would restrict local police’s ability to arrest individuals for low-level cannabis possession. On the November ballot, the ordinance received 67% of approval from Dallas voters.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed several lawsuits in February 2024 (2) against municipalities that have failed to “fully enforce laws related to drugs,” (1). According to NORML, Harker Heights, Bastrop, Denton, and Lockhart officials have declined imposing their local laws (1). In May 2025, Denton had to change their stance due to the Denton City Council voting 4-3 to repeal a low-level cannabis decriminalization ordinance that was approved by more than 32,000 voters in November 2022 (3). Paxton’s attacks on these cities have been due to his claim that ordinances like the one in Denton (3) “violate the state constitution and Local Government Code, which requires municipalities to enforce state drug laws.”

Sponsored legislation is being supported by state lawmakers to prevent voters from having input on future cannabis depenalization ordinances (1). NORML reported that it was approved in the Senate but hasn’t seen much push in the House.

“Texas voters, like most Americans, do not want cannabis consumers arrested or jailed,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said (1). “That is why, when given the opportunity, they have consistently and overwhelmingly decided in favor of these local ordinances to end low-level marijuana arrests. Unfortunately, Texas officials would rather cancel their own voters than abide by the will of the people and move forward with smart and sensible cannabis policies.”

In Texas, a criminal misdemeanor is having around two ounces or less of cannabis in possession (1). If convicted, individuals may face a $2,000 fine, a criminal record, and could spend possibly 180 days in jail. NORML reported (1) that, “Since 2018, Texas police have made approximately 200,000 marijuana-related arrests. Ninety-six percent of those were for possession only.”

References

1. Norml. Dallas halts implementation of Marijuana Depenalization https://norml.org/blog/2025/07/08/texas-dallas-officials-halt-implementation-of-voter-approved-marijuana-depenalization-ordinance/ (accessed Jul 10, 2025).
2. Norml. Texas AG files suit to overturn voter-approved marijuana depenalization measures https://norml.org/news/2024/02/08/texas-attorney-general-files-suit-to-overturn-voter-approved-marijuana-depenalization-measures/ (accessed Jul 10, 2025).
3. Colli, M. Texas denton City Council overturns voter-approved cannabis decriminalization rule https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/texas-denton-city-council-overturns-voter-approved-cannabis-decriminalization-rule (accessed Jul 10, 2025).