Sixty-seven percent of Dallas residents voted in favor of the decriminalization of marijuana on Nov. 5 despite public appeals from police to reject the measure.
Earlier this year, a coalition led by the Austin-based nonprofit Ground Game Texas gathered over 50,000 signatures – more than the 20,000 required to put it on the ballot – for its Dallas Freedom Act petition. The act secured a spot on the election ballot for Proposition R, a measure that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana under four ounces within city limits to address the current strain on local jails caused by low-level marijuana offenses.
"Our jail is full of people arrested for misdemeanor arrests," Changa Higgins of the Dallas Action Coalition said in January. "And when you look at misdemeanor possession of marijuana, it's no different." (Related: The REAL REASON Democrat politicians are making marijuana legal, after all these years, would surprise you.)
However, Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia argued in August that Proposition R would only embolden drug dealers and create additional crime challenges for law enforcement. "And who prospers: drug dealers and drug houses prosper – drug houses and dealers that are already tarnishing the quality of life in our most at-risk neighborhoods. Four ounces is approximately 113 grams, which equates to 113 dime bags," Garcia said in a city council meeting.
He then linked marijuana to violent incidents and murders in the city in the past few years. "The conversation pertaining to marijuana is not victimless. Not only will it lead to increased traffic at drug houses in our most vulnerable neighborhoods, but in my opinion, could lead to increased illegal sales."
AG Ken Paxton could take legal action against the passage of Proposition R
Now that Proposition R has passed, it would amend the charter of Dallas to prevent police from issuing citations or making arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession. The measure would also restrict law enforcement from using the smell of marijuana as probable cause for searches or seizures.
Moreover, it would prohibit city resources from funding tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical within marijuana that generates a light hallucinogenic feeling in the user, and concentration tests. Critics say it would prevent Dallas officials from distinguishing legal hemp from illegal marijuana.
Natalie Marquez, the field director of Ground Game Texas, hailed the initiative as "a step toward broader social justice, smarter use of public resources and protecting civil liberties in Dallas."
Ground Game Texas celebrated its victory on a social media post shortly after the results were out. "Together, we've taken a big step toward justice, freedom and a better future for our community," the movement posted on social media. "This is more than a victory for marijuana decriminalization – it's a win for the people of Dallas!"
However, the city may soon face a lawsuit from the state of Texas as Attorney General Ken Paxton has previously taken legal action against other Texas cities, including Denton, Austin and three others, for similar moves that ease restrictions on marijuana.
Watch this clip from "The David Knight Show" as host David Knight discusses the hidden truth behind medical marijuana use.
This video is from the David Knight Show channel on Brighteon.com.
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