A recent survey conducted by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs revealed that a significant number of Texans are in favor of legalizing cannabis for recreational use. The poll, which gathered responses from 1,200 adults across Texas and has a margin of error of 2.38%, found that over 60% of Texans support permitting recreational cannabis sales and consumption.
Texas lawmakers passed HB 1325 in 2019, which permitted industrial hemp cultivation as long as the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the crop was below 0.3%. This created a loophole that some businesses used to introduce THC marijuana products into the market.
The recent University of Houston poll included questions about cannabis and THC-related products. Although a majority of participants supported the legalization of cannabis, many also expressed concern over unregulated THC products, which became available due to gaps in HB 1325. Most respondents favored restricting the sale of these products.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick recently identified banning THC sales in the state as a key priority for this year’s legislative session, which started in January.
The survey revealed that around 62% of respondents, including 71% and 53% of Democrats and Republicans, respectively, back legislation that would permit individuals 21 years of age and over to purchase and use cannabis legally.
A strong majority—79% overall, with 75% and 86% of Republicans and Democrats, respectively—support legalizing cannabis for medical use with a healthcare provider’s prescription.
Decriminalizing cannabis possession for adult use was favored by 69% of Texans, including 61% and 79% of Republicans and Democrats, respectively. When it comes to THC products, opinions were more divided. Roughly 55% of respondents, including 61% of Republicans and 48% of Democrats, support prohibiting the sale of THC products in the state.
According to the survey, age played an even more significant role than political affiliation in shaping opinions on THC and cannabis policies. The findings indicated that 70% of Gen Z respondents supported banning THC sales, while 49% of Gen X and 46% of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation felt the same.
The survey also examined attitudes toward sports betting and gambling, another significant topic of discussion. Compared to THC and cannabis regulations, gambling appeared to be a less contentious issue, with the vast majority of the respondents expressing some level of support for its legalization in various forms.
Currently, the state only allows certain types of gambling, such as parimutuel betting on dog and horse races, charitable bingo, and lotteries. However, sports betting has gained widespread acceptance nationwide, with thirty-nine states having approved it in some capacity.
Industry actors like Aurora Cannabis Corp. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB) know that it will not be easy to enact marijuana policy reform in a conservative state like Texas, but the passage of time and changes in the rest of the country could eventually galvanize change in the state.
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