Intoxicating hemp remains a hot topic in Texas. Products like hemp THC drinks and THCA flower are flying off shelves, creating an incredibly valuable industry. The proliferation of these products has also bridged the gap for patients who find the state’s medical marijuana program too restrictive. However, the hemp debate is a contentious one, with Texans seemingly divided on how to proceed.
Bills to both ban hemp THC and legalize adult-use cannabis in the Lone Star State are currently making their way through the legislature. With lawmakers’ opinions so varied, what do their constituents think? It depends on who (and how) you ask.
RELATED: This major US city legalized weed a decade ago – so why can’t you buy it?
Polls illustrate divisive narrative
According to a poll conducted in March, only 20 percent of Texans surveyed favored a total THC ban, while 68 percent supported regulating the products. Hemp industry advocates commissioned this poll, with the first question written as follows:
“Hemp-derived consumable THC, which offers alternatives to alcohol for responsible adults and has other medicinal purposes, should remain legal in Texas, but strictly regulated with measures like age restrictions and warning labels.”
In this query, hemp THC is painted in a more positive light. But shift the narrative, and you’ll see opposing results.
RELATED: Weed reform has surprising impact on overall drug use
Advocates for Texas’s medical marijuana industry revealed the results of a separate poll at a press conference this week. Their data suggests 68 percent of Texas voters support banning “synthetic or lab-produced THC.” The poll also asked about sourcing cannabis, posed in a way that made one side look arguably safer.
“If you wanted to take something with THC in it to help with chronic pain, PTSD, or some other ailment, then would you rather get your THC products: from a state-regulated, medical marijuana program with a doctor’s prescription or from a smoke shop selling unregulated and untested hemp?”
In that context, 72 percent of respondents said they’d rather buy from a regulated source. Again, this tracks given the nature of the query.
How do Texans really feel about THC?
Recognizing that both polls have inherent bias, we wanted to do some more digging to find out what Texans actually think about cannabis.
A non-partisan survey conducted by the University of Houston earlier this year revealed that 69 percent of Texans support the decriminalization of marijuana, while 62 percent are in favor of full adult-use legalization. This poll was conducted in a far less biased manner; respondents were given data about the current cannabis policy in Texas and offered four different policies, which the participants indicated they supported or opposed. With this seemingly unbiased poll in mind, it appears that the majority of Texans agree that cannabis should be legal.
RELATED: New Jersey hits major weed milestone
Currently, lawmakers in Texas are debating cannabis in a special session. While an 11th-hour veto on a bill to ban hemp THC offered reprieve to industry advocates, a similar measure is currently making waves. At the same time, a proposal to legalize marijuana was also introduced.
It’s unclear where Texas legislators will land on the topic. And while polls supporting one narrative or the other continue to circulate in the news cycle, lawmakers and the general public will need to read between the lines to fully grasp public sentiment.
