Defender Roundtable: Why isn’t marijuana recreational use legal in Texas?

In several states in America, marijuana use is now legalized. It’s been that way for a while now.

Texas isn’t among them.

Aside from some medicinal use, legalized marijuana in the state is still a no-go and with the conservative dominance in Texas. It doesn’t seem like that will change soon, despite four out of five voters not being opposed to legalizing marijuana.

After 3rd reading on HB46 by Rep Ken King, 21 Texas members voted to not moderately expand the most restrictive medical marijuana program in the country. Makes sense when they are getting lobbied with stuff like this. pic.twitter.com/uoXV2Eznvd

— Texas Cannabis Collective (@txcannaco) May 14, 2025

House Bill 46, presented by Republican Ken King, was recently advanced to expand the state’s medical marijuana program to include chronic pain and Crohn’s disease. It passed 122 to 21 in the House and now heads to the Senate.

In the immediate future, a court ruling will not change much about how the Austin Police Department has enforced low-level marijuana possession since Austin residents voted to decriminalize it in 2022, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. https://t.co/baPnzv5nho

— KUT Austin (@KUT) May 18, 2025

In our latest episode of the Defender Roundtable, Happy Chameleon Dispensary owner Rikki Rivera joins the panel this week to discuss what’s holding Texas back from legalizing cannabis and how the laws could become even stricter.

SB3 & HB28-What are they and who benefits?

SB3 is a complete THC ban bill endorsed by the largest medical marijuana company in Texas (1 of only 3 companies exempt in the bill)

HB28 bans all hemp-derived THC, excluding THC drinks, and is notably endorsed by the alcohol industry pic.twitter.com/5pEOw064iq

— Hometown Hero ATX (@HometownHeroATX) April 3, 2025

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