DALLAS — Outlaw country music icon and native Texan Willie Nelson has announced that he is supporting a Dallas ballot measure that would decriminalize carrying small amounts of marijuana. 

What You Need To Know

  • Progressive group Ground Game Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that worked to collect the signatures needed to get Proposition R on the ballot, announced on social media last week that Nelson was supporting the amendment

  • The proposition–also referred to as the “Dallas Freedom Act”–would, if passed, decriminalize possession of less than 4 ounces of cannabis and make it the lowest enforcement priority for the Dallas Police Department

  • Supporters of the amendment hope Nelson’s backing will encourage Dallas voters to turn out and vote for decriminalization

  • Some city officials have said they oppose Prop R. That includes Dallas City Council member Cara Mendelsohn and Mayor Eric Johnson, who co-wrote an opinion article for The Dallas Morning News asking voters to oppose all charter amendments on the ballot

Progressive group Ground Game Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that worked to collect the signatures needed to get Proposition R on the ballot, announced on social media last week that Nelson was supporting the amendment. 

The proposition–also referred to as the “Dallas Freedom Act”–would, if passed, decriminalize possession of less than 4 ounces of cannabis and make it the lowest enforcement priority for the Dallas Police Department. 

“Marijuana is an herb and a flower, not a crime. Proposition R in Dallas is about fairness and freedom. It’s long past time to end the criminalization of weed in Texas, and I’m proud to support Ground Game Texas in their efforts,” Nelson said in a statement. “Vote for Prop R and let’s move forward together.”

Nelson’s endorsement may be no surprise to Texans who have followed the musician’s outlaw country career and his penchant for the devil’s lettuce. Nelson has been arrested numerous times for breaking the state’s strict pot possession laws. 

Supporters of the amendment hope Nelson’s backing will encourage Dallas voters to turn out and vote for decriminalization.

“We are honored to have Willie Nelson’s support for the Dallas Freedom Act. Like far too many Texans, Willie knows firsthand how much a weed possession charge can disrupt a life. We’re grateful for his years of advocacy for common sense reform and we look forward to continuing this work across Texas,” said Catina Voellinger, executive director of Ground Game Texas. 

Some city officials have said they oppose Prop R. That includes Dallas City Council member Cara Mendelsohn and Mayor Eric Johnson, who co-wrote an opinion article for The Dallas Morning News asking voters to oppose all charter amendments on the ballot. 

Outgoing Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia also expressed concerns about the amendment, telling the City Council back in August that he worried about public safety impacts. 

Ground Game Texas is also campaigning in Lockhart for a similar local decriminalization ordinance, Prop A. Lockhart is a city about 30 miles south of Austin with a population of over 14,000. 

Early voting in Texas begins Monday for this year’s general election and goes through Nov. 1. Texans can also cast their ballots in-person on Election Day on Nov. 5. 

Decriminalization measures at the local level are not new. In fact, Ground Game Texas was behind the effort to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession in Austin back in May 2022. The group also pushed similar measures in Denton, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Harker Heights in November 2022, all of which passed. 

But some of these cities are facing a legal battle with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Earlier this year, Paxton sued Austin, Killeen, San Marcos, Elgin and Denton over their ordinances, saying they’re violating Texas law.

The lawsuits in Austin and San Marcos were dismissed, the ones against Killeen and Denton are still pending, and the city of Elgin agreed to void the ordinance. 

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