A strong majority of Texans—including most Republicans—support legalizing marijuana for adult use, according to a recent poll. The survey from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University found that 67 percent of Texas residents back the broad reform. Fifty-one percent of participants who identified as Republican said them back legalization. Pollsters also asked about the legalization of other controlled substances such as heroin and meth. Respondents generally opposed that policy change, with just 16 percent saying they support it. That said, 20 percent of independents, 24 percent of millennials, and 26 percent of Gen Xers said they’re on board with holistically ending the drug war. With respect to marijuana, there were some common themes. As in most polling to date, Democrats and young people were the most likely to back recreational legalization. Seventy-nine percent of Democrats and 70 percent of independents favor the policy. But in a state where comprehensive cannabis reform has consistently stalled in the GOP-controlled legislature, the finding that 51 percent of Republicans agree that marijuana should be legal for adult use is notable. And while young people are more likely to say they want to end cannabis criminalization, 50 percent of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation said they back marijuana legalization.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 11/22/2021 15:10:00