Weed Wins Across Texas: Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop Vote to Decriminalize Marijuana

November 5, 2024 marked a clean sweep for marijuana reform in Texas – over two-thirds of voters in Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop voted a resounding “yes” for citywide marijuana decriminalization, making up 66.9% of the vote in Dallas, 67.95% in Lockhart, and 69.79% in Bastrop.

These victories are the latest in a growing movement to reform marijuana policy throughout the state of Texas. Austin, San Marcos, Denton, Killeen, and Elgin voters previously decriminalized marijuana, leading to a sharp reduction in arrests and wasted taxpayer dollars in the cities where those policies have been implemented. 

Dallas, which is the ninth largest city in the US, and the third largest in the state, is now the biggest city in Texas to have voted for decriminalization. 

“We've repeatedly seen weed outperform expectations when it's on the ballot in Texas cities. This latest trifecta is proof that when you put issues people care about on the ballot, they vote for them. Texans want progressive policies – it’s a matter of listening to what the community wants and organizing with them to get it.” – Catina Voellinger, Executive Director, Ground Game Texas

“This decisive victory is a repudiation of the state government’s outdated approach to marijuana regulation, which has unnecessarily criminalized countless Texans. The Dallas community has shown it's time for a change – not just within the city, but throughout Texas.” – Natalie Marquez, Dallas Field Director, Ground Game Texas 

“It’s important that communities continue to reclaim power and shape policies in ways that work for us. Marijuana may be the start, but this is about so much more than that. It’s time to restructure our taxpayer-funded policies to meet people’s needs with solutions that work, rather than continuing to rely on our broken system of overcriminalization.” – Elle Cross, Mano Amiga Responsible Implementation Campaign Director

“This is a major win for our rural community—proof not only of the progress we're making but also of the possibility for true reflection of the people's will in our government when we organize and fight for it. I’m incredibly proud of the hard work we put into getting this proposition on the ballot, and for it to pass is a testament to the power of community-driven change. I’m committed to continuing to fight for the needs and values of my fellow Texans, and this victory is only the start of a broader movement for our future.” – Desiree Venable, Democratic nominee for State House and community advocate who spearheaded the Bastrop campaign