Lawmakers are pushing a state-level bill to greenlight city-level control over marijuana
Dallas is among the largest cities, not only in Texas, but in the entire country. The Dallas area is home to 18 of the top 500 companies in the world, including Exxon Mobil, JC Penney, AT&T, Texas Instruments, and others. Now, its relevance could become even higher following a possible legalization of recreational cannabis use for adults. One legislator is taking it upon herself to make that a reality.
Jessica Gonzales, a Democratic city representative, has unveiled legislation this week that seeks to give counties and cities like Dallas the right to legalize marijuana for recreational use. It’s no secret that Texas has remained reticent on the issue in recent years, but more and more efforts are being made to change that stance in the state.
The House bill introduced by Gonzales plans to allow adults 21 and older to transport and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. The measure makes clear that no more than 15 grams of it can be in the form of cannabis concentrate. On the other hand, those who enjoy growing cannabis and the process involved can do so at home as long as it does not exceed ten ounces. Any excess should be stored safely.
Both counties and cities will have free will to decide on this legalization, but it would be up to the Lone Star State to regulate everything, so states HB 1937. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation would be in charge of adopting all the necessary rules for the legislation. That process includes regulation, licensing, testing standards, and even transportation.
Gonzales pointed to the more than 20 states that have legalized marijuana in recent years while indicating that many Texans today support some form of legalization of the plant. She believes that local communities should decide for themselves on the issue and HB 1937 is the appropriate way to achieve that goal.