Texas voters say they disapprove of how state leaders and lawmakers have handled marijuana and THC policy issues, according to a new poll that comes amid a primary election where people will get the chance to make their voices heard on cannabis legalization at the ballot.
The Texas Politics Project survey, released on Monday, asked registered voters about a variety of policy issues—from abortion rights to border security to cannabis laws—and how they feel officials are managing them.
Efforts to legalize marijuana in Texas have consistently stalled in the conservative legislature, and state statute continues to impose strict penalties on those who possess, cultivate or sell cannabis outside of the limited medical marijuana program.
Last year also saw tension within the legislature over the regulation of hemp products containing THC, with the GOP governor ultimately vetoing a bill that stakeholders say threatened to eradicate the cannabinoid market.
All told, a plurality of voters in the state (40 percent) said they disapprove of how their elected officials have approached marijuana and THC laws, according to the survey. Just 29 percent said they approve of how cannabis issues have been handled, while 31 percent said they didn’t have an opinion one way or another.
The poll didn’t give respondents specific examples of marijuana or hemp policy matters that have gone before the legislature, so it’s not clear exactly why voters approved or disapproved on how they’ve been handled. But it does reveal partisan divides on the question.
Democrats were the most likely to say they disapprove (60 percent) of how legislators and the administration have approached cannabis laws, while 16 percent said they approved and 24 percent selected “neither” approve nor disapprove.
By contrast, most Republicans (42 percent) said they approve of how officials have managed marijuana and THC issues, compared to 24 percent who disapproved and 33 percent said they were neutral.
Among independent voters, 42 percent disapproved, 14 percent approved and 43 percent said “neither.”
Via Texas Politics Project.
The 72nd Texas Politics Project survey involved interviews with 1,300 registered voters from February 2-16, with a +/- 2.72 percentage point margin of error.
The poll is also being released as voters head to the polls for the state’s primary election. And voters who select a Democratic ballot can weigh in on a non-binding proposition asking about their positions on legalizing cannabis and expunging past convictions.
The yes or no question on Democratic primary ballots reads:
“Texas should legalize cannabis for adults and automatically expunge criminal records for past low-level cannabis offenses.”
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
The result of the voting on Democrats’ marijuana question will not on its own change any cannabis laws, but they could send a signal to lawmakers about popular support for reform.
For what it’s worth, a poll released last year found that a plurality of Texas voters want the state’s marijuana laws to be made “less strict.” And among the legislative items lawmakers considered during recent special sessions, voters say a proposal to address hemp regulations was among the least important.
In the background, officials with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in December conditionally approved nine new medical marijuana business licenses in December as part of a law that’s being implemented to significantly expand the state’s cannabis program.
The department will issue conditional licenses to three additional dispensaries by April 2026.
This represents a major change to the program, as there are currently only three dispensaries licensed to operate in Texas.
DPS in October adopted additional rules to increase the number of licensed dispensaries, establishing security requirements for “satellite” locations and authorizing the revocation of licenses for certain violations.
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) also recently finalized rules allowing doctors to recommend new qualifying conditions for cannabis patients and creating standards for allowable low-THC inhalation devices.
Meanwhile, bipartisan Texas lawmakers say the stage is set to advance legislation next session establishing regulations for hemp THC products, with growing understanding among their colleagues that prohibition fails to effectively address concerns about the cannabis market.
In the interim, Texas regulators have taken a series of steps to enact rules around consumable hemp products over recent month, which began after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) vetoed a bill last year that would’ve effectively eradicated the state’s hemp market.
In late December, meanwhile, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) released a set of proposed rules to regulate the state’s hemp market—including provisions related to age-gating, licensing fees, testing requirements, packaging restrictions and more in response to an executive order the governor signed in September.
Image element courtesy of AnonMoos.
The post Texas Voters Disapprove Of How State Officials Are Handling Marijuana And THC Laws, Poll Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment.
