Dallas residents may have the opportunity to vote on marijuana decriminalization this November, depending on the city secretary's decision this summer. The advocacy group Ground Game Texas claims to have gathered more than 50,000 signatures, with at least 21,000 verified, surpassing the 20,000 required to force a referendum.
The group's aim is to stop arrests and citations for individuals possessing four ounces of marijuana or less, which is currently classified as a Class A misdemeanor. However, some city leaders, including the District Attorney and the Chief of Police, are advocating for a lower threshold of two ounces or less. The City Council has pushed the discussion into August, with Councilmember Chad West admitting, "I don't know the temperature of council right now."
West anticipates that if Dallas becomes the largest Texas city to decriminalize marijuana, Attorney General Ken Paxton will likely sue to prevent the statute from taking effect, as it would contradict state law. Paxton has already sued several other Texas cities for similar reasons. West believes that passing the referendum would send a message to the state about the city's desire for marijuana law reform in Texas. He argues that current marijuana laws drain public safety resources and that regulation and taxation could save taxpayers money.
In other news, the Dallas City Council has postponed decisions on changes to the city's charter, including pay raises for council members, term lengths, and election dates. West expressed disappointment in the lack of support for moving odd-year elections to November, which has significantly increased voter turnout in other cities like Mesquite and Houston.
West also criticized the proposed charter changes as a whole, calling them "the most self-serving piece of legislation" he has seen in his five years in office, benefiting council members more than voters. "It's a disappointment in what's already risen up that it mostly benefits council members. And it benefits little things like how we run meetings. It doesn't benefit the voters as a whole," he said bluntly.
To address the city's permitting process, which has been plagued by delays, sometimes taking months, Dallas plans to merge the two departments that oversee planning and permitting. West praised the move by interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert as "brilliant," stating that it would allow developers to get answers from a single source and lead to the creation of much-needed new housing in Dallas.
West emphasized the importance of the permitting department, calling it "the gateway to the city's property taxes," which fund essential services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and street repairs. "It's got to be the most impactful department in the city," said West. "It should be the major leagues of the city of Dallas where everybody wants to work because it's the best department."
The group's aim is to stop arrests and citations for individuals possessing four ounces of marijuana or less, which is currently classified as a Class A misdemeanor. However, some city leaders, including the District Attorney and the Chief of Police, are advocating for a lower threshold of two ounces or less. The City Council has pushed the discussion into August, with Councilmember Chad West admitting, "I don't know the temperature of council right now."
West anticipates that if Dallas becomes the largest Texas city to decriminalize marijuana, Attorney General Ken Paxton will likely sue to prevent the statute from taking effect, as it would contradict state law. Paxton has already sued several other Texas cities for similar reasons. West believes that passing the referendum would send a message to the state about the city's desire for marijuana law reform in Texas. He argues that current marijuana laws drain public safety resources and that regulation and taxation could save taxpayers money.
In other news, the Dallas City Council has postponed decisions on changes to the city's charter, including pay raises for council members, term lengths, and election dates. West expressed disappointment in the lack of support for moving odd-year elections to November, which has significantly increased voter turnout in other cities like Mesquite and Houston.
West also criticized the proposed charter changes as a whole, calling them "the most self-serving piece of legislation" he has seen in his five years in office, benefiting council members more than voters. "It's a disappointment in what's already risen up that it mostly benefits council members. And it benefits little things like how we run meetings. It doesn't benefit the voters as a whole," he said bluntly.
To address the city's permitting process, which has been plagued by delays, sometimes taking months, Dallas plans to merge the two departments that oversee planning and permitting. West praised the move by interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert as "brilliant," stating that it would allow developers to get answers from a single source and lead to the creation of much-needed new housing in Dallas.
West emphasized the importance of the permitting department, calling it "the gateway to the city's property taxes," which fund essential services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and street repairs. "It's got to be the most impactful department in the city," said West. "It should be the major leagues of the city of Dallas where everybody wants to work because it's the best department."
