Texas Democrats File Three Cannabis Legalization Bills: Adults 21 and Over, Up to 12 Plants at Home
Texas Democratic lawmakers filed three cannabis legalization bills on November 9, the first day of prefiling for the 2027 legislative session. State Reps. John Bucy III of Austin and Joe Moody of El Paso filed House Bill 362 and House Bill 369, nearly identical measures both titled the Texas Regulation of Cannabis Act, and Sen. Carol Alvarado of Houston filed Senate Bill 237.
The House bills would let adults 21 and older legally possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 12 plants at home in a locked area, under a state-licensed system for cultivation, testing and retail sales, with a 20 percent excise tax at the register. The Senate version sets a 2.5-ounce possession limit, includes no new excise tax, and would let counties vote on whether to allow cannabis businesses. If enacted, the measures would take effect September 1, 2027, with commercial licensing required to begin by November 1, 2028.
The filings came a week after the midterm elections, in which Democrats flipped the Texas House and won the governor's office; Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has expressed support for legalizing recreational marijuana. Republicans, however, retained control of the state Senate, 19 to 12, and every bill needs both chambers to become law. The 90th Texas Legislature convenes on January 12, 2027.
Source: Texas Legislature
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Austin 的德克萨斯州议会大厦（2025年）。Farragutful 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons；原图近方幅，本站已同色垫成 16:9 画布。 / Photo: The Texas State Capitol in Austin (2025). Photo by Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; padded to a 16:9 canvas by GSM.
