Dallas and Weed Legality: Understand the New Rules

Legalizing marijuana in Texas has long been a battle that has been fought, and met with opposition almost immediately from most lawmakers.

As more and more states decriminalize the use and possession of marijuana, some of the lawmakers have started to soften their stance, but not enough.

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However, there is now something that has passed within the state and it's created one heck of a battle, if not a benchmark, when it comes to legalizing it.

During the election in November, voters in Dallas were asked to vote on Proposition R, or more commonly referred to as the Dallas Freedom Act.

The proposition passed pretty handily with 67% voting in favor of it.

WHAT IS THE DALLAS FREEDOM ACT

The Dallas Freedom Act is wrapped around being charged by police if you are in possession of marijuana up to a certain amount. No, you can't carry a brick of it around if that's what you're wondering.

It proposes that anyone caught with less than four ounces of marijuana on them be let go and not given a ticket or arrested for possession. Previously, being caught with ANY marijuana on your person could be considered a misdemeanor and be fined or jailed for either 180 days or a year depending on the amount you were holding.

DOES THAT MAKE WEED LEGAL IN DALLAS

This is where it gets tricky. Even though you won't be hit with anything in Dallas if you're carrying less than four ounces, it still doesn't mean it's legal.

Recreational use of the drug is still illegal in the state, and Dallas is still part of the state. You can't go around smoking it in your car, but if you have a little on you, it won't be detrimental to your livelihood.

WHY IS DALLAS BEING SUED OVER THIS

Attorney General Ken Paxton has waged a legal war over the passing of the proposition stating that decriminalizing it is unconstitutional.

His exact words were, "Cities cannot pick and choose which State laws they follow. The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them."

For now, the law remains in place until the legal battles have completed. This could be the first step to legalizing marijuana in the state...or it could be a death blow to it ever becoming something we see in Texas.