A recent poll conducted by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune has found that over half of Texas voters support relaxing marijuana laws in the state. This is a major shift in public opinion, as only a few years ago, marijuana was widely viewed as a dangerous drug with no medicinal value. The poll found that 56% of Texas voters support either legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana, while only 36% of respondents oppose any changes to the current laws.
The poll results come at an opportune time, as the Texas House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. If the bill is passed by the Senate and signed into law, it would mean that possession of up to one ounce of marijuana would be punishable by a fine rather than jail time. The bill would also expunge the records of those convicted of possession of small amounts of marijuana in the past.
The bill has been met with strong support from both sides of the aisle. Republican State Representative Joe Moody, who sponsored the bill, said that it is “a step in the right direction” and “an effort to bring our laws into line with what Texans actually believe.” Democratic State Representative Terry Canales echoed this sentiment, saying that “it’s time for Texas to join the rest of the nation in recognizing that marijuana should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal justice issue.”
The bill is now headed to the Texas Senate, where it is expected to be met with strong opposition from some members. However, with the majority of Texans now in favor of relaxing marijuana laws, it is likely that the bill will eventually pass. If it does, it could be a major step forward for marijuana reform in Texas and could pave the way for further changes in the future.
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