Dallas overwhelmingly votes to decriminalize marijuana in early election results

Around 65% of Dallas voters say it’s time to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis, even though Texas still outlaws recreational use.

Proposition R, if officially passed, would amend the city charter to prevent police from arresting or citing individuals for possessing up to four ounces of cannabis, except in cases involving felony investigations tied to violence or narcotics.

It would also prohibit officers from using the smell of cannabis as probable cause for searches or seizures and restrict city funds and resources from being used to test cannabis-related substances to determine if they meet the legal definition of cannabis.

Election data from the Dallas County elections office indicate that roughly 149,500 people voted in favor of decriminalization, while approximately 81,200 voted against it.

Until now, Dallas was one of the largest U.S. cities that has not decriminalized cannabis possession.