Blocked By The GOP: Texas Republicans' War On Cannabis Reform

Why legalization won’t happen without political change.

https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/blocked-by-the-gop-texas-republicans



Texas is stuck in the past, and the Republican Party is to blame. For decades, GOP leaders have clung to outdated policies, ignoring the changing tides of public opinion and the benefits of cannabis legalization. While states across the country have embraced the economic, social, and health advantages of legalizing cannabis, Texas remains one of the last holdouts, refusing to move forward.

It’s not for lack of support among voters—many Texans, including some Republicans, enjoy recreational cannabis. But as long as the GOP holds power in Texas, legalization will remain a pipe dream. In fact, Texas is one of just thirteen states where cannabis is still entirely illegal, both for medical and recreational use. Even Mississippi has outpaced Texas in this area, a clear sign that our state’s leadership is dragging us backward.

Earlier this year, Texas NORML published a voting guide showing which candidates supported legalizing and regulating cannabis use in Texas. Nearly every Democratic candidate on the ballot supported it, while almost every Republican candidate was against it.