Dallas may legalize recreational cannabis use under 1937 bill

Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, a Dallas Democrat, filed a bill this week that would allow counties and cities to legalize recreational cannabis use by adults.

Under the 1937 Gonzalez bill, adults 21 and older would be allowed to own and transport up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. Of these, no more than 15 grams may be in the form of cannabis concentrate. At home, adults will be allowed to store or process no more than 10 ounces of cannabis. If there is more than 2.5 ounces in a person’s home, the excess should be securely stored.

Individual cities and counties would be allowed to legalize cannabis for recreational use by adults, but the state would have to regulate the material under HB 1937. Specifically, the bill directs the Texas Licensing and Regulatory Commission to enact all necessary rules for a bill concluding licensing, regulation, testing and transportation standards.

In a press release about the bill, Gonzalez indicated that 21 states have legalized cannabis and 27 have decriminalized its use. Recent studies have also shown that a majority of Texans support some form of cannabis legalization, Gonzalez said.

“While Texas has made progress on passing the Compassionate Use Act, we are left behind on a potential source of income that could increase investment in public education, stop unnecessary arrests for cannabis possession, and create jobs in our state,” Gonzalez told the press. . release. “We must allow our local communities to make the best decision for themselves regarding the legalization of cannabis, and the House Bill of 1937 would allow adults aged 21 and over.”

The bill also provides for a 10 percent tax on cannabis products. Taxes collected will go towards cannabis regulation, testing and quality control, and local oversight, with the remainder set aside for the school fund, the primary source of public funding for school districts.

“I would absolutely vote to legalize recreational cannabis use in the city of Dallas if the state were to allow it,” Adam Bazaldua, Dallas City Council.

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It’s unlikely that this bill will make it to the governor’s desk, said Jesse Williams, a local cannabis advocate. Observer. Williams, editor-in-chief and associate director of the online publication Texas Cannabis Collectivesaid that even if it did, Gov. Greg Abbott was unlikely to sign it.

Beyond the chances of a pass, Williams sees some problems with the bill. “I imagine one of the biggest pushbacks to this in the cannabis community will be a 10 percent tax added on top of other taxes already owed to businesses,” Williams said. “We already know from other states that if going to market becomes too expensive and too expensive for a customer compared to the black market, some of the customers will go to the black market.”

In a world where this bill actually becomes law in Texas, Dallas may have a chance at legalization. Dallas City Council members Chad West and Adam Bazaldua have said that if the state had the option, they would vote to legalize recreational cannabis use by adults in the Big D. The opportunity is on the part of the state,” Bazaldua said. Observer.

West said much the same, adding that recreational use of cannabis by adults should be accompanied by strong regulation.

In 2015, Texas adopted its highly restrictive medical cannabis program through the Compassionate Use Act. About two years later, West and a group of investors applied for one of the first licenses to grow and sell cannabis products under a government program. They didn’t get a license, but West said he still sees medicinal and recreational value in cannabis.

“I have personally handled the medical marijuana business in the private sector and believe in its use for both medical and recreational purposes,” West said. “The city and state spend a lot of resources prosecuting marijuana crimes. If we could find a way to regulate it and benefit from it, it could be a big source of revenue for the government and also a way to safely regulate what is currently unregulated. … I believe that the benefits of legalization far outweigh the problems associated with it.”

If the law is passed and signed, HB 1937 will go into effect on 1 September.