Statewide Decriminalization

Replace Patchwork Policy with Statewide Decriminalization

Our state’s current cannabis laws are unnecessarily complicated, inconsistent, and ineffective. It’s time for Texas to adopt a straightforward statewide cannabis decriminalization policy.

In recent years, cannabis arrests and convictions have dropped significantly, as local governments respond to voters’ demands for decriminalization. These changes are saving resources, reducing the burden on law enforcement, and protecting Texans from harsh, unnecessary criminal records. However, the resulting patchwork of local policies creates confusion and, sadly, tens of thousands of Texans are still being arrested annually.

This inconsistency undermines public trust and makes enforcement challenging. A statewide decriminalization policy would provide clarity and fairness for all Texans.

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Join us in calling on lawmakers to pass statewide legislation eliminating criminal penalties for low-level possession!

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Criminal Records Last a Lifetime

Decriminalizing cannabis frees up valuable criminal justice resources, allowing law enforcement to focus on serious crimes. It also ensures that Texans are no longer burdened with criminal records for low-level offenses.

Cannabis is objectively safer than alcohol, tobacco, and many commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drugs—making the case for decriminalization even stronger.

Prohibition is Costly for Taxpayers

Cannabis prohibition costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Meanwhile, victims of real crime are not getting the attention they deserve from local law enforcement.

A statewide policy of decriminalization will preserve valuable public safety resources, especially for our crime labs that have to split resources between testing cannabis and sexual assault evidence, for example.

Legislator Voting Record on Decriminalization (2023)

Cannabis Decriminalization

HB 218 - A bill relating to the criminal and licensing consequences of certain offenses relating to the possession of marihuana, certain tetrahydrocannabinols, certain synthetic cannabinoids, and drug paraphernalia; imposing a fee.

Summary: This bill aims to reduce penalties for low-level possession of cannabis to a Class C Misdemeanor ($500 fine), eliminating the threat of arrest and jail time. The legislation would also set up an expungement process, which allows a person to avoid a criminal record.

HB 218 was passed in the House with a vote of 87 Yeas, 59 Nays.

(This bill did not receive a vote in the Senate.)

Yeas — Allen; Anchía; Bernal; Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Button; Cain; Campos; Canales; Clardy; Cole; Collier; Cortez; Cunningham; Darby; Davis; Dutton; Flores; Frank; Frazier; Gámez; Garcia; Gates; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Harrison; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Jetton; Johnson, A.; Johnson, J.D.; Johnson, J.E.; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Kacal; King, T.; Kuempel; Lalani; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Lozano; Lujan; Manuel; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Muñoz; Neave Criado; Oliverson; Ordaz; Ortega; Perez; Plesa; Ramos; Raney; Raymond; Reynolds; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Sherman; Talarico; Thierry; Thompson, S.; Toth; Turner; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Nays — Allison; Anderson; Ashby; Bailes; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bonnen; Bumgarner; Burns; Burrows; Capriglione; Cook; Dean; DeAyala; Dorazio; Gerdes; Goldman; Guillen; Harless; Harris, C.E.; Harris, C.J.; Hayes; Hefner; Holland; Isaac; King, K.; Kitzman; Klick; Lambert; Landgraf; Leach; Leo-Wilson; Metcalf; Meyer; Morrison; Murr; Noble; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Price; Rogers; Schaefer; Shaheen; Shine; Slaton; Slawson; Smith; Smithee; Spiller; Stucky; Swanson; Tepper; Thimesch; Tinderholt; Troxclair; VanDeaver; Vasut; Wilson.

The following Representatives were not present for the vote, but added the following notes to the record:

When [the vote] was taken, I was in the house but away from my desk. I would have voted no. (Craddick)

When [the vote] was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no. (Kuempel)

When [the vote] was taken, I was shown voting no. I intended to vote yes. (Meyer )

When [the vote] was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no. (Schatzline)

When [the vote] was taken, my vote failed to register. I would have voted no. (E. Thompson)

Identify Your Legislators

Use this link to identify your Texas House District Representative and Texas Senator. It's these state lawmakers we want to focus on when advocating for Texas Cannabis Policy.

Use your home address (where you're registered to vote) to identify who represents you in the Texas Legislature.

When contacting lawmakers, remember to be engage professionally and always be respectful.

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