Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke (D) says he will legalize cannabis in the state if he wins his race for governor. O’Rourke
has made cannabis legalization a central part of his campaign in a state where a majority of residents support legalization but the Republicans in
power have been staunchly against legalizing cannabis.

“I’ve been warned that this may or may not be a popular thing to say in Austin, Texas,” O’Rourke said in December. “But when I am governor, we are going to legalize marijuana.”

Michael Correia, director of government relations at the National Cannabis Industry Association, told Cannabis News Box that O’Rourke has been a longtime ally of the legalization movement.

“When I began this job in 2013, and first started lobbying Congress, Rep. Beto O’Rourke was one of the few politicians in DC talking about the
cannabis issue (which said a lot in 2013),” Correia said. “As far as I am concerned, he has been a cannabis champion from day one. If we had more leaders like him in Congress, cannabis would be legal by now.”

That being said, Correia doesn’t think legalization is going to be a major issue in this election. He said taxes, guns, energy, education and other issues will likely be more prominent in the election. Part of the reason for that is just how politics work in Texas, which could change but has not
thus far.

“Although cannabis reform has majority support among all demographic groups, there are so many more registered Republicans than Democrats,” Correia said. “This issue could energize young activists to volunteer for O’Rourke, but I don’t see that overcoming the demographic challenges (versus say in a state like Florida, or Arizona). Now, if cannabis legalization was on the ballot, I could see that issue bringing in more voters (who wouldn’t normally vote) and support O’Rourke. It won’t hurt him though.”

As for the current governor, he’s clearly against legalizing cannabis. Correia said he has not changed his views on this issue in a notable way. He said the same can be said for most Republicans in Texas.

“It is safe to say that Texas Gov. Abbott has not said or done anything on cannabis reform that would excite me,” Correia said. “Most Republican elected officials in Texas have very outdated, prohibitionist views when it comes to cannabis. That is very sad… and troubling.”