Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, D-Dallas, filed a measure Feb. 7 that would allow local legalization of adult-use cannabis in Texas.
The measure, House Bill 1937, would permit “counties and municipalities to adopt an order or ordinance that would legalize the recreational use of cannabis within their jurisdiction” and would direct the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt and enforce the bill’s rules related to licensing, regulation, testing standards and transportation, according to a press release.
“Twenty-one states in America have legalized cannabis, and 27 states have decriminalized the use of cannabis. In a recent study, a majority of Texans supported some form of legalization of cannabis use,” Gonzalez said in the release.
The legislation would also permit adults 21 years and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, not including more than 15 grams of cannabis in the form of a concentrate, and would allow adults to store up to 10 ounces of cannabis securely at home.
Moreover, the measure would place a 10% tax on cannabis products. Ten percent of tax revenue would be used to fund cannabis regulation, while 10% would be used for testing and quality control, 20% for local oversight and the rest would be reserved for the Foundation School Fund, according to the bill text.
“While Texas has made progress with the Compassionate Use Act, we have been left behind on a potential revenue source that would increase investments in public education, stop unnecessary arrests for cannabis possession, and create jobs in our state,” Gonzalez said. “We should allow our local communities to make the best decision for themselves regarding cannabis legalization, and House Bill 1937 would allow that for adults 21 years or older.”
