Texas Voters Approve Local Cannabis Decriminalization in Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockhart

LOS ANGELES- Voters in three Texas cities—Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockhart—have approved local ordinances to decriminalize low-level cannabis possession. Each measure passed with strong support, reflecting a growing trend in Texas municipalities toward reducing penalties for cannabis possession.

In Dallas, Proposition R, commonly referred to as the Dallas Freedom Act, passed with approximately 66% support. This measure designates the possession of up to four ounces of cannabis as the city’s lowest law enforcement priority. The ordinance prevents local police from making arrests or issuing citations for low-level possession unless connected to a more serious investigation. It also limits police authority to use the smell of cannabis as grounds for searches and seizures​.

Similarly, voters in Bastrop approved Proposition M with 69% support. This measure establishes comparable limitations on cannabis possession enforcement, deprioritizing minor cannabis-related arrests and citations by local law enforcement. In Lockhart, Proposition A received 68% of the vote, enacting a similar policy and prohibiting tests to determine if a substance is cannabis or hemp​.

These ordinances reflect a shift within Texas, where cities such as Austin, Denton, and Killeen have enacted similar decriminalization measures in recent years. However, Texas still prohibits adult-use cannabis statewide, and Attorney General Ken Paxton has previously challenged these municipal measures in court. Despite legal scrutiny, local decriminalization efforts have generally held up in court, suggesting strong local support for more lenient cannabis policies in select areas​.

With no statewide initiative process available, Texas advocates are focusing on local-level reforms, while legislative efforts toward broader legalization remain limited.