Poll: 77% in Texas Support Legalizing Medical Cannabis, Plurality Also Supports Recreational Legalization

Poll: 77% in Texas Support Legalizing Medical Cannabis, Plurality Also Supports Recreational Legalization

A new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll has found that 77% of those in Texas support the legalization of medical cannabis. The poll also found strong support for legalizing recreational cannabis, with 49% in support to just 23% opposed.

“It’s not a surprise that Texas was not on the front line of [legalization], given that most of the opposition here is among conservatives and Republicans,” says Jim Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas and co-director of the poll. “But you can look at this and see where the movement is going to come from.”

Of the 49% who support recreational legalization, 32% favor legalizing small amounts, while 17% support legalizing “any amount” of cannabis.

Last month Texas Governor Rick Perry announced his support for cannabis decriminalization; lawmakers in the state continue to discuss efforts to both reduce penalties for cannabis possession, and to legalize medical cannabis.

– TheJointBlog