Texas Shifts: Record Support For Cannabis Legalization And Decriminalization

Public support for cannabis in Texas is at an unprecedented level, with 73% of adults supporting either full legalization or decriminalization, according to a 2024 poll conducted by the Texas Lyceum Association.

According to the poll, 60 percent of Texas adults support full legalization of marijuana, a 14-point increase since the last poll in 2015. Of the 31 who said they oppose marijuana legalization, 42% said they still support the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.

The poll comes at an important time for the drug, with the Biden administration pushing to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug and various Texas cities decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana.

“Texas’ changing attitude reflects a broader national trend towards decriminalizing and legalizing cannabis,” Ty Schepis, a Texas State University professor of clinical psychology told the San Antonio Express-News.

Scheips also highlighted that there is growing recognition of the potential benefits of cannabis in treating medical conditions such as cancer treatment symptoms, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms.

While marijuana use does carry risks, such as lung damage from smoking, and an increased likelihood of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in adolescents with other risk factors, the public perception of cannabis remains largely positive. Schepis pointed out that many see it as a low-risk or no-risk substance, especially when compared to the significant health risks associated with opioids.
Nationwide, daily habits are shifting. According to an analysis by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, self-reported daily cannabis use has surpassed daily alcohol consumption in the United States. In 2022, the median drinker reported drinking on four or five days in the past month, whereas marijuana users reported using it on 15 or 16 days.