Here’s where Dallas’ early voters stand on decriminalizing small amounts of weed

The Dallas Morning News has live election results for local, state and national races.

About 65% of Dallas early voters supported decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, according to preliminary unofficial election results, though its recreational use is still illegal in Texas.

Proposition R, one of 18 propositions on the ballot for Dallas voters, appeared to be headed to an easy win with Election Day votes pending Tuesday night. The charter amendment prohibits the police department from arresting or citing individuals suspected of possessing four ounces or less of marijuana, except when part of a felony investigation involving violence or narcotics. Election Day vote tallies were not available at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The proposition also prevents police from considering the smell of marijuana as probable cause for a search or seizure. It would ban city funds or workers from being used to test cannabis-related substances to determine if they meet the legal definition of marijuana.

“We have a lot of people in jail for small amounts of marijuana, and it shouldn’t be like that,” said Enoch Correa, 33, who voted on Election Day at the Jaycee Zaragoza Recreation Center in Ledbetter.

Another voter who supported the proposition was Magdaleno Huitron, 43. He believes people should be free to use marijuana for personal use, especially if they use it to calm their anxiety.

“People shouldn’t be punished for using weed to relax, and then have something on their record for the rest of their lives just for that,” Huitron said.

The proposition, referred to as the Dallas Freedom Act, is backed by the nonprofit group Ground Game Texas, which received at least 20,000 signatures from valid voters in support.

Natalie Marquez, local field director with Dallas Freedom Act, said the early votes show that the Dallas community has decided it’s time for a change.

“This decisive victory is very loud and clear when it comes to the state government’s outdated approach to marijuana regulation, which has unnecessarily criminalized countless of Texas,” Marquez said.

“We are going to continue to build power in Texas,” Marquez said over the phone.

Dallas would be the largest city in Texas to ban arrests for low-level pot possession if voters approve the proposition. It would also likely put the city in the crosshairs of state leaders as Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued other cities, such as Austin and Denton, where voters have approved ordinances in recent years decriminalizing small amounts of weed.

Paxton argues the ordinances violate Texas law.

Dallas City Council members Chad West, Adam Bazaldua, Zarin Gracey and Jaime Resendez announced support in June for a Dallas marijuana decriminalization charter amendment.

”To me, the support so far for [Proposition] R says that Texas needs to get with the times,” said Dallas council member Paula Blackmon on Tuesday night. “We need to pass it statewide, legalize it, regulate it and tax it.”

Mayor Eric Johnson and council members Carolyn King Arnold, Cara Mendelsohn and Kathy Stewart voted against forwarding the proposal to the election ballot, The Dallas Morning News previously reported.

Geneva Santoya, 34, a West Dallas resident, voted against the proposition because she doesn’t want to see the use of pot normalized.

“I don’t want kids exposed to it, and if we don’t punish the use of it like we do other drugs, then everyone is going to do it,” Santoya said.

Medical marijuana use is legal through a state program and hemp, the plant CBD comes from, is also approved by state and federal regulators.

A poll released in May surveying 1,200 Texans found 60% supported state legalization of the drug for recreational use.

The Texas-born singer-songwriter Willie Nelson endorsed the proposal via his social media, The News reported.

“Marijuana is an herb, not a crime,” said Nelson, a longtime marijuana advocate, in an Instagram post on Oct. 11. “Proposition R in Dallas is about fairness and freedom. I’m proud to support the fight to decriminalize. Vote for Prop R!”