Veriheal by Ashley Priest 4/14/2021
It’s said that “the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas“. If you happen to live in Dallas, Texas, you might be able to enjoy those stars a little bit more. Cannabis helps many people slow down, feel better, and enjoy life. Unfortunately, some places still support draconian federal cannabis prohibition. In these sad, outdated places, cannabis can still land you in a heap of trouble. In the state of Oklahoma, which neighbors Texas, medical patients are allowed to have 3 oz. of cannabis flower in their possession. Currently, in the state of Texas, 3 oz. of cannabis would be a misdemeanor charge that carries a max fine of up to $4,000 and one year incarceration. An invisible line between Oklahoma and Texas determines whether or not you can have cannabis.
Thankfully, some people are acknowledging the wrongs of the past and looking at ways to apply positive cannabis reform. Texas has started to see a shift of support towards cannabis legalization. In Dallas, Texas police chief Eddie Garcia has made a proposal to the Dallas City Council Public Safety Committee requesting that Dallas police officers no longer arrest or cite most individuals who have 2 oz of cannabis or less in their possession.
The Finer Details of Putting an End to ArrestsThe first thing that stood out to me was the phrasing of most individuals. Does this mean that arresting someone for cannabis would be at an officer’s discretion? Digging a little bit deeper, it turns out that the proposal would exclude certain situations. You would still be subject to arrest for having two ounces or less if officers believed you were in possession with intent to distribute, if they found empty baggies, digital scales, saw you make a hand-to-hand distribution of cannabis, or if you were in possession of a firearm.
More:
https://www.veriheal.com/blog/dallas-police-chief-pushes-to-end-arrests-for-small-cannabis-possession/
