As the decriminalization of marijuana continues to be a hot-button issue across the United States, a new poll conducted by the University of Texas at Austin has found that over half of Texas voters support relaxed marijuana laws. This news comes as Texas State Representative Joe Moody’s House Bill 63, which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, moves forward in the Texas Legislature.
The UT Austin poll, which was conducted in February 2021, found that 58% of Texas voters support relaxing marijuana laws. This is a significant increase from the 49% who supported relaxed marijuana laws in a similar poll conducted in 2019. The poll also found that only 33% of Texas voters oppose relaxed marijuana laws, with the remaining 9% undecided.
The results of the UT Austin poll are encouraging for proponents of House Bill 63, which would make possession of up to one ounce of marijuana a civil penalty punishable by a fine of up to $250. Currently, possession of any amount of marijuana is a criminal offense in Texas, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
The bill has been met with strong support from both Republicans and Democrats in the Texas Legislature. In addition to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, the bill would also expunge records for those who have been convicted of low-level marijuana offenses.
The UT Austin poll results indicate that Texans are ready for a change when it comes to marijuana laws. With House Bill 63 moving forward in the Legislature, it appears that Texas may soon join the growing number of states that have relaxed their marijuana laws.
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