Houston Voters Will Consider Prioritizing Cannabis Enforcement in November

Houston Public Media reported that in November, voters in Houston will decide whether to deprioritize local cannabis enforcement.

The petition, brought by the advocacy group Ground Game Texas, would make misdemeanor marijuana possession charges the “lowest enforcement priority” of the Houston Police Department.

Over 40,000 signatures were submitted by advocates for the petition. The city council approved the referendum as a result of the petition on Wednesday. The petition also prohibits the use of warrants with no knock within city limits.

Austin, Dallas, Killeen, and at least eight other Texas towns have also passed local cannabis enforcement laws.

Texas law defines cannabis possession of up to 4 ounces as a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of $4,000 Officers can divert people arrested on cannabis charges to a 4-hour cognition class and a 90-day program of community supervision.

In 2024, Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton (R), filed lawsuits against five cities for their decriminalization of cannabis policies. He argued that the reforms were in violation of state laws and state constitution.

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