Houston Mayor Blames DA as Cannabis Arrests Surge 1,200%

Houston Mayor John Whitmire attributes the dramatic spike in cannabis possession arrests to Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare's prosecution decisions. Misdemeanor cannabis arrests have surged nearly 1,200% under Whitmire's tenure, with an average of 440 arrests annually. This policy shift contrasts with growing medical acceptance of cannabis for therapeutic purposes in treating conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and epilepsy. The escalating enforcement raises concerns about equitable access to medical cannabis for qualifying patients in Texas.
Originally published on
Ganjapreneur
By TG Branfalt
Read full article(opens in new tab)Fetched: September 17, 2026 at 10:02 AM



