A group of Democratic lawmakers in the Texas Senate introduced legislation that would legalize marijuana for adults and establish a regulated commercial market.
Senate Bill 54, filed during the Legislature’s special session, outlines a broad regulatory framework covering cultivation, manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, use and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products. The bill also grants authority for local governments to regulate licensed cannabis growers, cannabis establishments, testing facilities and secure transporters. It includes provisions to expunge certain past marijuana-related convictions.
The legislation follows the recent filing of House Bill 195 by Rep. Jessica González, D-Dallas, which would legalize possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of concentrates for adults 21 and older. HB 195 would task the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation with overseeing the industry and require licenses to be issued by Nov. 1, 2026. Tax revenue from legal sales would be allocated to state regulators, local governments and the Foundation School Program.
The push for legalization comes as lawmakers also consider Senate Bill 5, a separate measure that would ban hemp-derived THC products such as delta-8 and delta-9. That bill was recently advanced by the Senate State Affairs Committee.
With active proposals now in both chambers, the Texas Legislature appears poised for a major debate over the future of marijuana policy during the current session.
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