18 January 2025
In November 2024, Dallas voters approved Proposition R, the Dallas Freedom Act, with 67% support, significantly altering local marijuana enforcement. The measure decriminalizes possession of up to four ounces of marijuana, barring arrests and citations for such cases and restricting police from using marijuana odor as probable cause for searches, except in felony situations. While celebrated locally, the policy has drawn a legal challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who argues that cities cannot override state laws, where marijuana remains largely illegal.
One of the major implications of the new policy is its potential impact on Texas’ medical marijuana market. The act could increase demand for regulated medical cannabis products under the state’s limited Compassionate Use Program. With enforcement deprioritized in Dallas, patients who may have turned to unregulated sources might instead seek safer, legal medical options. This could prompt calls to expand the program to include more conditions or to improve accessibility.
At the same time, the policy highlights contradictions in Texas’ cannabis landscape. The state’s unregulated hemp market continues to thrive, creating economic opportunities but raising concerns about product safety. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other state leaders are pushing for stricter statewide regulations, including banning all THC products.
Dallas’ move may signal a shift in how Texans access cannabis for medical purposes, potentially paving the way for broader reform while fueling debate over state and local authority in marijuana policy.