Texans Inches Toward Legalizing Cannabis While Patrick and Paxton Dig in Their Heels

Well, here we go again, Texas. Another legislative session is just around the corner, and once again, cannabis is taking center stage. This time, there’s a glimmer of hope for the Lone Star State. State Representative Jessica Gonzalez of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational, or adult-use cannabis, and it’s about time. If passed, adults over the age of 21 could legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for personal use or keep up to 10 ounces securely stored at home. Of course, you won’t be allowed to light up in public—because apparently, enjoying your freedom has its limits.

Now, this isn’t just a small step; it’s a giant leap forward for a state that’s been dragging its boots on cannabis policy for years. And yet, as progress marches forward, some folks are still clinging to the past. I’m looking at you, Dan Patrick and Ken Paxton.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who seems to think cannabis is the greatest threat to Texas since Yankee carpetbaggers, is busy trying to ban all THC products outright. His latest crusade, Senate Bill 3, aims to make sure Texans can’t legally buy even the mildest hemp-derived THC products. Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton, ever the dutiful prohibitionist, is waging legal war against Texas cities like Dallas that have decriminalized cannabis. You have to wonder: if the people are voting for decriminalization, and their representatives are filing bills for legalization, who exactly are Patrick and Paxton working for?

Take Dallas, for example. Nearly 70% of voters approved Proposition R—the Dallas Freedom Act—which prevents police from arresting or citing people for possessing small amounts of cannabis. It even bans officers from using the smell of cannabis as probable cause for searches. But Paxton isn’t having it. He filed a lawsuit against the city, as if stopping arrests for a plant is somehow an existential threat to Texas.

Let’s not forget the mess that is Texas’s medical cannabis program, the Compassionate Use Program, or TCUP. It’s been limping along since 2015, serving only a fraction of patients who could benefit from it. TCUP is one of the most restrictive programs in the country. To qualify, you need to jump through more hoops than a rodeo clown. Chronic pain? Not covered. Want more than a tiny dose of low-THC cannabis? Good luck. Texas has 38 other states to look at for inspiration, yet we still manage to fall short.

The irony here is almost laughable. Texas prides itself on being a state of freedom and independence, yet our cannabis laws are some of the most restrictive in the nation. We’re watching state leaders cling to prohibition while 24 other states have already legalized adult-use cannabis, and 38 allow medical use. Even Governor Greg Abbott, who has made some noise about supporting reductions in penalties for cannabis possession, has largely stayed quiet while Patrick and Paxton wage their personal war against the plant.

And then there’s Rep. Gonzalez’s bill. It’s not perfect—you still can’t smoke cannabis in public or in a vehicle—but it’s a solid step in the right direction. The bill would also bring some much-needed regulation to the cannabis market: child-resistant packaging, clear labeling, and rules to keep products safe. Imagine that—Texans could actually know what they’re buying and consuming, unlike the patchwork, unregulated mess we have now with delta-8 THC.

The truth is, most of the Texas Legislature seems to be moving closer to where the people are. Polls consistently show that a majority of Texans—well over 60%—support legalization. Yet here we are, stuck with leaders who seem to think they know better than their own constituents.

It’s time to ask ourselves: are we going to let a handful of outdated politicians keep us locked in the past, or are we ready to join the rest of the country in embracing common sense? Legalizing cannabis isn’t just about freedom; it’s about safety, economic opportunity, and giving Texans the choice they overwhelmingly want.

Rep. Gonzalez’s bill isn’t a perfect solution, but it’s a much-needed starting point. The question now isn’t whether the Texas Legislature will listen to the people and pass this bill—It’s when this bill passes, will Dan Patrick allow it to make it to the Governor’s desk or will he fail to schedule the bill for debate and vote, which is in the power of his position as Texas Lt Governor.