Dallas police officers have new marching orders when it comes to enforcement of arrests and citations for marijuana possession with the implementation of Proposition R.
According to an internal DPD memo obtained by WFAA, Dallas officers are now prohibited from making arrests or issuing citations for marijuana possession – four ounces or less – nor can they “consider the odor of marijuana as probable cause for search and seizure, except as part of a violent felony or high priority narcotics felony investigations.”
The previous policy regarding possession of marijuana prompted officers to confiscate, but not cite nor arrest people who had less than two ounces of marijuana. Per the memo sent out Friday, that policy is now “obsolete.”
Proposition R, also dubbed the “Dallas Freedom Act” by supporters, passed with 66% of the vote in the November election.
Last year, former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia warned that the proposition could have a negative impact on public safety.
“In my 32 years in law enforcement, in my opinion, it could lead to increased illegal sales and deterioration of quality of life in certain areas of our city,” Garcia told the city council in August 2023.
“Regardless of your thoughts and/or opinions regarding the passing of this amendment, we must remain focused on our dutites and obligations to the Dallas Police Department and the residents of the City of Dallas,” Dallas Interim Police Chief Michael Igo wrote in the memo. “It is crucial to maintain professionalism and composure, as you always represent this exceptional Police Department.”
Hellbound and Down 