Texas state Rep. Jessica González wants to allow local governments to decide whether to make cannabis legal within their boundaries.
González, whose district includes part of Oak Cliff, this week filed House Bill 3248, “which would allow counties and municipalities to adopt an order or ordinance that would legalize the recreational use of cannabis within their jurisdiction.”
The legislation proposes that the state would adopt rules for licensing, regulation, testing standards and transportation of marijuana and other cannabis products, and it would be taxed 10%.
Here’s how that tax would be directed: 10% to cannabis regulation, 10% to cannabis testing and quality control, 20% to participating local governments for the purpose of oversight, and 60% to the Foundation School Fund.
González says a majority of Texans say they support legalization of recreational cannabis.
“Sixteen states in America have legalized cannabis and 26 total states have decriminalized the use of cannabis. In a recent study, 54% of Texans supported the legalization of recreational cannabis use. While Texas has made progress with the Compassionate Use Act, we have been left behind on a potential revenue source that would increase investments in public education, stop the unnecessary arrests for cannabis possession, and create jobs in our state. We should allow our local communities to make the best decision for themselves in regards to cannabis legalization, and HB 3248 would allow that for adults 21 years or older. ”
Dallas City Council has tried in recent years to decriminalize marijuana, allowing officers discretion in whether to arrest or cite those caught with small amounts of weed. Data has shown that most people ticketed under “cite-and-release” are Black.
Dallas County District Attorney John Cruzeot refuses to prosecute cases in which people are cited or arrested for possession of 2 ounces of marijuana or less. That’s why City Council recently considered a resolution against arrests in these misdemeanor cases.
But Dallas’ new police chief put the breaks on that.
“Garcia came to the meeting with a two-ounce sample of marijuana divided into packets for individual sale by drug dealers,” KXAS reported. “He said police should have the discretion to make arrests of dealers in such situations.”
Rep. González, a Democrat, also filed legislation this session aiming to prohibit judges from issuing warrants for probation violations solely because someone tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabidiol, aka THC or CBD, in a drug test.
