A broad cannabis legalization bill has been introduced in Texas. The measure, proposed by Democratic State Rep. Jessica González, would legalize cannabis for adult use, create a licensing system for businesses, and impose a 10% excise tax on sales.
The bill was introduced last month, before the recent campaign by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) to push lawmakers to ban all THC products in the state next year, including hemp-derived intoxicating THC such as delta-8 and delta-10 products.
The bill introduced by González includes personal possession limits higher than those in states that have already passed similar reforms, allowing possession up to 10 ounces of cannabis at individual residences as long as it is stored in a secure location.
Cannabis possession of personal amounts is legal in a handful of Texas cities – including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart – due to ballot initiatives; however, state Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against several of the cities saying the measures violate state law.
Medical cannabis is legal in Texas but only for a very limited number of medical conditions and only products containing very low amounts of THC.
The Texas legislature reconvenes next month.
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