This is a very good idea. If you want to pump up the youth vote, this could really help:
After clinching the Democratic nomination for Texas governor, Beto O’Rourke took the stage and made a promise that could possibly define his fall campaign.
“And don’t you think it’s time we legalize marijuana in the state of Texas? I do too. We can get that done”, O’Rouke said.
A heavy promise, but one that he may be able to deliver on.
According to a study done at the University of Texas at Austin, the percentage of Texas voters that favor legalization of marijuana has been trending upward since 2010.
Back in 2010, there was 60/40 split against legalization. Today, those numbers have flipped to favor legalization.
Baylor Political Professor Pat Flavin says the signs of moving toward legalization are there. “About a year from now, there could be serious consideration of decriminalization,” Flavin said. “Or at least reducing the penalties particularly for small amounts of possession.”
The Texas chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, also know as Texas NORML, has been laying the groundwork for Texas voters to learn about the legalization of marijuana and the people in power who support their cause.
The executive producer for Texas NORML, Jax James, says her organization is trying to make a big push while legislation drags their feet.
“There’s a lot of local action going on trying to push and give upward momentum to this through the legislature,” James says. But if it was up to the will of the people, we would have had a robust medical cannabis market about eight years ago, maybe even 10.”
There’s also a financial incentive. There’s money in this and there are no doubt quite a few Texans who’d like to get in on the action. Good move, Beto.