Texas Lawmakers File Bills to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

The Government of Texas introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana on November 9, 2026, following a shift in the state's legislative administration after the midterm elections. The move follows the electoral defeat of former Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who had previously claimed that legalization would only occur if he were voted out of office.

By November 11, lawmakers filed three specific pieces of legislation ahead of the 2027 session. House Bills 362 and 369, along with Senate Bill 237, propose allowing adults aged 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of cannabis. The proposals include provisions for limited home cultivation, with one initial bill suggesting a limit of 12 plants, and the establishment of licensed dispensaries.

The House proposals specifically outline a framework to allocate cannabis tax revenue toward public schools, local governments, veterans' programs, and addiction treatment. While these bills establish a regulated system with strict age restrictions and oversight, they must still pass through the Texas Legislature to become law.