Willie Nelson is up to his old tricks in Texas. The country music legend has long supported liberal causes in his home state and 2024 is no different.
He's chimed in on a ballot initiative in Dallas and a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
Prop R in Dallas
While Texas has no laws protecting cannabis users, Dallas is trying to buck that with the decrim measure, Prop R.
Nelson stated:
“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. Vote for Prop R and let’s move forward together.”
The ballot title reads:
Shall the Dallas City Charter be amended by adding a new section in Chapter XXIV that reforms marijuana possession enforcement by prohibiting the Dallas Police Department from making arrests or issuing citations for marijuana possession or considering the odor of marijuana as probable cause for search or seizure, except as part of a violent felony or high priority narcotics felony investigation; making enforcement of Class A (currently, two to four ounces) and Class B (currently, up to two ounces) misdemeanor marijuana possession the Dallas Police Department’s lowest enforcement priority; and prohibiting city funds or personnel from being used to test cannabis-related substances to determine whether a substance meets the legal definition of marijuana, except in limited circumstances?
A "yes" vote supports amending the city charter to decriminalize marijuana making it the lowest enforcement priority for the Dallas Police Department.
“We are honored to have Willie Nelson's support for the Dallas Freedom Act,” Ground Game Texas executive director Catina Voellinger added. “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.”
Nelson has been arrested for possession three times in Texas (1974, 1994 and 2010).
Colin Allred for U.S. Senate
Former Tennessee Titans linebacker Colin Allred is challenging Ted Cruz in the election for one of Texas' U.S. Senate seats. He's been a member of the U.S. House since 2019. A two-term Congress member, Cruz is one of the most conservative Senators in Washington. He defeated Beto O'Rourke in 2018.
Nelson commented:
"I know firsthand that Colin will represent all Texans no matter their race, who they worship and who they love."
Allred, who's Black, played for the Titans from 2006-2010.
Liz Cheney is also for Allred: “Colin Allred is somebody I served with in the House and somebody when you really think about the kind of leaders this country needs.”
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