Will Texas go the way of Florida with the marijuana of the public wants some form of legal marijuana and the Governor doing all he can to stop it?
While cannabis awaits its future under the new administration, the public increasingly wants legal access to marijuana. Â Increasing seen as a respected medical aide, the pubic is embracing the green plant, and are increasingly open to fully legalized weed. Now Texas citizens want legalized cannabis but, will they go the way of Florida and have the governor stop the efforts? Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis used the full force available to him to try to stop the movement. But the Sunshine State public won medical marijuana and will gain full recreational at some point. Â Now Lone Star state Governor Greg Abbott, could be in for a similar battle.
RELATED: Veterans With PTSD Are Given A Little Hope
he most recent survey, released in February 2025, shows that nearly four out of five Texans (79%) support establishing a full-fledged medical cannabis program. This level of support is consistent across various demographic groups, with every socio-demographic subgroup favoring reform. The strong backing for medical marijuana is likely driven by its perceived health benefits and the desire to provide relief to patients with qualifying conditions. Currently, Texas’s Compassionate Use Program is highly restrictive, allowing only low-THC cannabis for a limited number of conditions.
In addition to medical marijuana, there is significant support for decriminalizing cannabis possession. About 69% of Texans endorse legislation to decriminalize marijuana for those 21 years and older, which would reduce penalties for possession to fines rather than criminal charges. Furthermore, 62% of Texans support legalizing a commercial marketplace for adult-use cannabis sales, indicating a growing acceptance of recreational use.
The support for marijuana legalization crosses political lines, with a majority of Democrats and a significant portion of Republicans backing these reforms. While Democrats are more likely to support full legalization, Republicans also show substantial support, particularly for medical use. Nonreligious Texans and those with lower incomes or without college degrees are more likely to favor decriminalization and legalization.