A Democratic state representative has just dropped a surprise cannabis legalisation proposal during a special session in Texas. While the focus of lawmakers remains on regulating the booming hemp market, this unexpected move has stirred both hope and scepticism across party lines.
Rep. Jessica González filed House Bill 195 on 24 July. If passed, it would allow adults over 21 to possess limited amounts of marijuana—up to 2.5 ounces of flower or 15 grams of concentrates. But make no mistake, this isn’t a guaranteed victory for cannabis advocates. The proposal lands in a statehouse still firmly resistant to full legalisation, despite what public opinion might suggest.
Marijuana Support Grows, But the Legislature Isn’t Budging
Let’s be honest—legalising weed in Texas has always felt like a long shot. And even though momentum is building among the public, state politics are dragging their heels.
According to the latest poll by the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Politics Project, a majority of Texans support some form of marijuana legalisation. That includes around 55% who back recreational use. But inside the Capitol? It’s a different story.
Republican leadership continues to frame marijuana as a threat to public safety, even as similar conservative states like Missouri and Ohio move to permit recreational use.
Lawmakers have repeatedly refused to allow legalisation bills to advance out of committee, with most pro-cannabis legislation stalling before it reaches the House floor.
The Hemp Boom: Lucrative, Loosely Regulated and Under Fire
Texas’ $5.5 billion hemp industry is both a business success story and a legislative nightmare. That’s the real reason the Capitol is buzzing this week.
Back in June, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would’ve banned intoxicating hemp-derived products like delta-8 and delta-9 THC. That decision left many in limbo—retailers, manufacturers, and regulators alike.
Now, lawmakers are trying to get a grip on a sector that’s exploded faster than anyone predicted. Unlike marijuana, hemp is technically legal thanks to federal law. But loopholes in the 2018 Farm Bill have allowed high-THC hemp products to flourish in Texas shops, even though weed itself is still off-limits.
• Gov. Abbott’s veto left THC-laced hemp legal—for now
• Retailers are selling products that mimic marijuana highs
• Enforcement is inconsistent, confusing, and under-resourced
• Lawmakers fear minors and unintended users are at risk
The irony hasn’t gone unnoticed. Adults can legally buy hemp gummies that’ll get them high, but not actual cannabis. González is using that contradiction to make her point.
House Bill 195: What’s in It, and What’s the Catch?
House Bill 195 is simple on paper. It legalises adult-use cannabis for those 21 and up. There’s no commercial licensing framework (yet), and it focuses solely on possession.
The text of the bill allows:
| Cannabis Form | Legal Amount (For Adults 21+) |
|---|---|
| Flower | Up to 2.5 ounces |
| Concentrates | Up to 15 grams |
There’s no mention of cultivation or retail sales, which means it’s more symbolic than structural. Still, it’s a significant political gesture.
This isn’t González’s first pro-cannabis effort, either. She’s previously backed bills for broader reforms, including medical access and decriminalisation. But those bills never reached a vote.
Timing Is Everything—and It’s Not Great
The bill’s introduction comes during a special session that’s supposed to be about hemp regulation. That means González’s proposal isn’t likely to get a full hearing—at least not now.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan hasn’t signalled any support for legalising marijuana, and no Republican leadership has co-sponsored the bill. In short, the proposal is dead on arrival unless something changes drastically.
Still, timing can sometimes be political strategy. By inserting the conversation now, González may be planting seeds for the 2025 regular session, when Democrats hope to gain more ground. She’s also forcing her colleagues to confront the growing public divide between legal hemp and illegal marijuana.
Will Texas Ever Go Green?
Plenty of eyes are watching Texas. It’s the second-largest state in the country and a conservative stronghold. If it flipped on cannabis, it’d send ripples across the national landscape.
Yet, for all the cultural shift and financial promise—legal cannabis sales in the U.S. hit nearly $34 billion in 2023, according to BDSA—Texas politicians aren’t swayed.
There’s still hope among advocates, but it’s cautious. Bills like HB 195, even if they fail, keep the issue in the headlines. And in politics, sometimes that’s the first step.