During his reelection campaign, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has struck a moderate tone when it comes to marijuana. When asked about cannabis reform during a campaign event last week, Abbott once again laid out the argument that prisons and jails are places “for dangerous criminals who may harm others.” “Small possession of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with,” the governor said. His remarks come as opinions on the matter begin to change across the state. A University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tribune poll last June showed 60% of Texas voters say they support the recreational use of marijuana. Abbott has signaled he is open to the idea of decriminalization. It’s been a different story for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. “The Lt. Governor has made it pretty explicitly clear that he is not on board for lessening the state’s drug laws around marijuana,” said Joshua Blank with UT Austin’s Texas Politics Project. “But I think like any other public figure, if pressure continues to mount, especially within his own party, there’s no reason he can’t change his mind,” KXAN spoke with Rep. Joe Moody (D) who represents El Paso in Austin. Moody has authored legislation tackling cannabis reform, though his bills have not made it out of Patrick’s senate.
Mmp News Author, Medical Marijuana Program Connection, 01/15/2022 16:11:00