Texas Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis
A Democratic state representative in Texas has filed a bill to legalize cannabis for adults and establish a regulated market for the production and sale of recreational marijuana. Representative Jessica González submitted the legislation, HB 1208, for the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January.
The bill would allow adults aged 21 and over to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, including up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates. Additionally, adults would be able to possess up to 10 ounces of weed at home, with any quantity above 2.5 ounces required to be stored in a secure location.
The legislation also sets the stage for the regulated production, processing, distribution, and sale of recreational cannabis. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation would be responsible for licensing businesses to cultivate, process, test, distribute, and sell marijuana in the state. Retail cannabis products would be subject to a 10% tax.
This is not the only cannabis-related bill filed in Texas. Several other lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at reforming the state’s cannabis policy, including measures to expand access to the state’s low-THC medical marijuana program and to amend the Texas criminal code related to the possession and distribution of cannabis.
Heather Fazio, a representative of the group Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, said that 2025 is likely to be a “very consequential legislative session” for cannabis policy reform in Texas. The group is advocating for lawmakers to take action to reform the state’s cannabis laws, which are currently complicated and ineffective.
The 2025 legislative session is expected to be a significant one for cannabis policy reform in Texas, with multiple bills filed and a growing momentum for change.
