Texas’ lawmakers are at odds with its citizens over the cannabis issue, since the majority supports decriminalizing, legalizing, and medicalizing marijuana for adults.
Specifically, 79% of Texans are in favor of legislation that will establish a fully-fledged program of medical cannabis for patients who qualify to use the plant to treat a variety of ailments with a doctor’s prescription. This was revealed by a new report from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston (UH), released on 4 February.
According to the “Texas Legislative Issues: Marijuana Legalization and Gambling” report, 69% support legislation that would decriminalize marijuana for adults over 21. 62% also favor legalizing a market for sales to adult users.
These three positions are supported by the majority of respondents in this survey, regardless their gender, race, age group, educational level, or income.
In the University survey, the majority supported these policy positions across political affiliations and all demographics including gender, race, generation, income, and education.
Each sub-group of the socio-demographic group favored medical cannabis reform with supermajorities at 70% or more.
Authors of the report wrote that “overall, Texans are in favor of legalizing medical cannabis in Texas. There are only two sociodemographic subgroups with notable differences.” The two subgroups differ in terms of religion and political affiliation. “Nonreligious Texans are more likely to favor medical marijuana than Born-Again Protestants (70%). 86% of Democrats support this policy compared with 75% of Republicans.”
University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs. January 2025. “Texas Legislative Questions 2025: Marijuana Legalization, Gambling, and Other Issues”
Texas, which has one of America’s strictest cannabis laws, is the source for this report. In the Compassionate Usage Program of Texas, doctors can only prescribe low-THC marijuana with a maximum THC level of 1%. The program, which was originally limited to epilepsy patients with an intractable condition in 2015 has been expanded to nine other conditions in 2019.
Texas, one of the 11 states still severely restricting access to cannabis for medical purposes in an unrestricted sense, has a cap of 1% THC. Georgia and Iowa have also implemented highly restrictive programs for medical cannabis, while the remaining eight states do not.
In turn, products with intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids have exploded into a multibillion-dollar market in Texas, sparking elected officials’ attempt to backpedal and reform by outlawing THC altogether.
Texas Lieutenant Governor lists THC Ban 2025 as top priority
According to Pew Research Center, there are more than 60 adult-use marijuana dispensaries in New Mexico that have opened within 20 miles from the Texas border, to take advantage of Texas’ cannabis laws.
This border town action is not without risk: Texans who are caught in possession of any cannabis amount face criminalization.
According to Texas law, possession of up to two ounces cannabis can be punished by a fine of $2,000 and up to a year of jail time. Possession of 2 to four ounces cannabis could result in a fine of $4,000 with up to a one-year jail term. And possessing more than four ounces cannabis would constitute a felony with an automatic minimum prison sentence.
The UH study shows that Texans do not agree with the penalties.
The authors concluded that “While there is no notable gender, ethnic/racial, or generational difference in favor of decriminalizing the possession of cannabis in Texas, There are significant sub-groups differences, centered around education, religion, income, and partisanship.”
Texans You can’t have it without The report found that those who have a college degree, are lower-income or are not religious are more likely in favor of decriminalization.
However, all subgroups included in the study supported decriminalizing marijuana.
Born-again Protestants were the only subgroup of respondents who did not support adult-use marijuana legalization. Only 44% supported this policy. In contrast, 69% of Roman Catholics said that they support adult-use cannabis legalization. Meanwhile, 81% nonreligious participants in the survey said that they also supported this policy.
According to the report, “after providing their individual evaluations, Texans have been asked which of the policies is closest to personal preference. A fourth option was to continue the Texas current policies and regulations governing cannabis use in Lone Star State.
If you are forced to choose between four options, which one should you pick?
- 32% of Texans voted to legalize adult-use marijuana;
- Legalization of cannabis for medical purposes: 29%;
- Decriminalization is supported by 17% of respondents.
- 22% of respondents prefer to maintain the current status quo, which prohibits the use and sale of marijuana in Texas.
Texas is among four states that only allow legislators to meet on odd-numbered days. The 140 days of legislative activity per two-year cycle is a limited opportunity for legislators to reform the cannabis laws.
Texas is one of only 24 states without a statewide ballot initiative by citizens. If residents want to change the cannabis laws in their state, they can count on elected officials.
Texas legislators continue to disagree with the citizens of Texas over marijuana policy. The majority support decriminalizing cannabis for adult use and legalizing it as well.
According to a study released by UH’s Hobby School of Public Affairs on February 4, 79% of Texans support legislation that establishes a fully-fledged program to allow qualified patients access to the plant with a prescription from a physician.
According to the “Texas Legislative Issues: Marijuana Legalization and Gambling” report, 69% support legislation that would decriminalize marijuana for adults over 21. 62% also favor legalizing a market for sales to adult users.
These three positions are supported by the majority of respondents in this survey, regardless their gender, race, age group, educational level, or income.
In the University survey, the majority supported these policy positions across political affiliations and all demographics including gender, race, generation, income, education, and age.
Each subgroup of the socio-demographic group favored medical cannabis reform with supermajorities at 70% or more.
The report’s writers wrote: “Overall there is a solid consensus in Texas, with just two notable socio-demographic differences. This supports the legalization of medical marijuana in Texas.” “The sub-group differences have to do with religion and party affiliation.” “Nonreligious Texans are more likely to favor medical marijuana than Born-Again Protestants (70%). 86% of Democrats support this policy compared with 75% of Republicans.”
University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs. January 2025. “Texas Legislative Questions 2025: Marijuana Legalization, Gambling, and Other Issues”
Texas, which has one of America’s strictest cannabis laws, is the source for this report. In the Compassionate Usage Program of Texas, doctors can only prescribe low-THC marijuana with a maximum THC level of 1%. While initially only available to people with uncontrollable epilepsy, the lawmakers have expanded the program to cover nine conditions.
Texas, one of the 11 states still severely restricting access to cannabis for medical purposes in an unrestricted sense, has a cap of 1% THC. Georgia and Iowa have also implemented highly restrictive programs for medical cannabis, while the remaining eight states do not.
In turn, products with intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids have exploded into a multibillion-dollar market in Texas, sparking elected officials’ attempt to backpedal and reform by outlawing THC altogether.
Texas Lieutenant Governor lists THC Ban 2025 as top priority
According to Pew Research Center, there are more than 60 adult-use marijuana dispensaries in New Mexico that have opened within 20 miles from the Texas border, to take advantage of Texas’ cannabis laws.
This border town action is not without risk: Texans who are caught in possession of any cannabis amount face criminalization.
Texas’ current law defines possession up 2 ounces as a misdemeanor, punishable up 180 days of prison and a $2,000 penalty. Possession 2 to 4 pounds of cannabis constitutes a criminal offense punishable up one year in jail plus a $4000 fine. Possession greater than four pounds is classified as a felony with an automatic minimum sentence of imprisonment.
The UH report states that Texans do not agree with the penalties.
The authors concluded that “While there is no notable gender, ethnic/racial, or generational difference in favor of decriminalizing the possession of cannabis in Texas, There are significant sub-groups differences, revolving about education, income and religion.
Texans You can’t have it without The report found that those who have a college degree, are lower-income or are not religious are more likely in favor of decriminalization.
However, all subgroups included in the study supported decriminalizing marijuana.
Born-again Protestants were the only subgroup of respondents who did not support adult-use marijuana legalization. Only 44% supported this policy. Compared to this, 81% of the nonreligious respondents said that they support adult-use cannabis legalization.
The report states that “after having given their independent evaluations of these policy proposals, Texans are asked to choose the one closest to their personal preferences, and a fourth choice is to maintain the current Texas laws and regulations governing the use of marijuana in the Lone Star State.”
If you are forced to choose between four options, which one should you pick?
- 32% of Texans voted for legalization of cannabis use by adults;
- 29% in favor of legalizing medical marijuana;
- Decriminalization is supported by 17% of respondents.
- 22% of respondents prefer to maintain the current status quo, which prohibits the use and sale of marijuana in Texas.
Texas is among four states that only allow legislators to meet on odd-numbered days. There are only 140 legislative days every two years, which means that lawmakers have limited time to change cannabis laws.
Texas is one of only 24 states without a statewide ballot initiative by citizens. If residents want to change the cannabis laws in their state, they can count on elected officials.
Cannabis Law Resources for Poland
Browse essential legal pages on cannabis sales and cultivation in Poland. You can use these resources to learn about the requirements for certifications, permissions and compliance.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland