November 3, 2026, General Election
This year’s elections will be key to whether Texas finally elects a legislature and a governor who is willing to pass a decriminalization or legalization law. Two of the most powerful statewide offices are up for election — Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Meanwhile, every seat in the state House of Representatives and half of the state Senate are on the ballot. The results will be crucial to whether and how Texas cannabis policy evolves.
To help inform voters, MPP and the Texas Cannabis Policy Center have created this voting guide, where we ranked legislative and statewide office candidates based on their support for expanding medical cannabis, decriminalization, as well as legalization. It also includes comments and sponsorship for some candidates who support decriminalization and adult-use legalization. The voter guide includes information from incumbents’ voting record on cannabis, bill sponsorship, and replies to our candidate survey.
Here are the questions we asked legislative candidates:
You can find your Texas state Senate and House district here. You can find your sample ballot and confirm your status as a voter here. Monday, October 5th is the last day to register to vote in the 2026 general election. Early voting begins October 19 and runs until October 30th (with no Sunday voting).
Because of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s control of the Senate calendar, many sensible cannabis policy reform bills passed by the House never receive a hearing in the Senate. You can view full Senate and statewide candidate survey responses below. Voting records for House candidates come from our partner organization, the Texas Cannabis Policy Center's comprehensive tracker here.
Background: Texas has one of the most restrictive medical cannabis programs in the nation, including a ban on botanical cannabis flower. Texas does not have either a decriminalization or an adult-use legalization law. In 2025, 29,000 people were arrested for possession of cannabis in Texas.
Gina Hinojosa (D) — A
State of Texas
Current state representative from District 49 (Austin area). She has posted on social media that she wants to let citizens vote on legalization. She has also voiced support for taxing and regulating hemp products. She has a solid record of voting in favor of cannabis policy and has co-sponsored both decriminalization and comprehensive medical cannabis legislation. She also voted NO on SB3, which attempted to ban hemp-derived THC products in Texas.
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
Greg Abbott (R) —C
State of Texas
Current governor of Texas. He has served in that role since 2015. While he endeared himself to many people when he vetoed SB3 — an attempt to ban hemp-derived THC products in Texas — his appointees effectively banned hemp flower by regulatory decree, at his direction. Last year, he signed a bill banning all hemp vape products, leaving only edibles and drinks legal for adult use. He also signed HB46, which expanded the medical cannabis program to include non-combustible inhalables, into law. He has consistently demonstrated his support of an expanded medical cannabis program and decriminalization, but does not support full legalization. Since taking office, arrests for cannabis have fallen from 61,748 in 2015 to 29,000 in 2025.
Does Not Support Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Reducing to Civil Fine
Does Not Support Legal Possession
Does Not Support Legal Market
Pat Dixon (L) — A
State of Texas
The Libertarian candidate for governor. He answered our survey where he voiced support for legalization, decriminalization, and a robust medical cannabis program.
Supports Medical Cannabis
I am a Libertarian
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
I am a Libertarian
Supports Legal Possession
I am a Libertarian
Supports Legal Market
I am a Libertarian
Vikki Goodwin (D) — A
State of Texas
Currently a state representative from District 47 (Austin area). She has a solid record of voting in favor of cannabis policy and has co-sponsored both decriminalization and comprehensive medical cannabis legislation. She was absent on the day that SB3, which attempted to ban hemp-derived THC products, was voted on. Rep. Goodwin has highlighted her opposition on her campaign website.
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Reducing to Civil Fines
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
Dan Patrick (R) — F
State of Texas
Currently is the Lt. Gov. of Texas, a position he has held since 2015. While always a staunch prohibitionist, he has challenged voters to vote him out if they oppose his stance on banning all hemp-derived THC products. He begrudgingly supported HB46, which included an expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program as a compromise to dismantling the entire hemp industry. He used his considerable powers over the state Senate to make sure bills that would have created safeguards, like a 21-year age gate for hemp products, did not make it to the Senate committee process.
Does Not Support Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Civil Fines
Does Not Support Legal Possession
Does Not Support Legal Market
Anthony Cristo (L) — A
State of Texas
Currently a high school English and debate teacher. He did fill out the cannabis policy survey and is a supporter of full legalization.
Supports Medical Cannabis
Legalize for everyone. Medical and recreational use.
Supports Reducing Penalties
No fines for possession of any amount.
Does Not Support Civil Fines
Adults should have the right to choose for themselves what they want to put in their body, not the state.
Supports Legal Market
Complete and total legalization.
Kevin McCormick (G) — A
State of Texas
Has a law degree and has taught mathematics at a San Antonio High School. He did fill out the cannabis policy survey and is a supporter of full legalization.
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Possession of hemp-derived products should be decriminalized except for particular circumstances such as sales to minors or evasion of regulations.
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
Nathan Johnson (D) — A
State of Texas
Currently a state senator from District 16 (Dallas area). A firm believer in cannabis policy reform. In 2025, he sponsored SB53, which would have implemented sensible guidelines for hemp-derived THC products. He also sponsored SB54, which would have fully decriminalized personal possession of cannabis, including limited home grow rights. SB 928 would have created a robust, comprehensive medical cannabis program. Due to the power of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, none of those bills were granted a hearing. He also was one of the few state senators to oppose SB3, which sought to ban all hemp-derived THC products.
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Legal Protections
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Market
Mayes Middleton (R) — D
State of Texas
Currently a state senator from District 11 (suburban Houston area). A firm prohibitionist, he voted against cannabis decriminalization and lessening cannabis possession penalties. He voted for SB1870, which would have prohibited cities from voting on decriminalization measures. He also voted for SB3, which sought to ban hemp-derived THC products. He did vote YES on HB46, which expanded the limited Texas Compassionate Use Program.
Supports Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Reducing to Civil Fine
Does Not Support Legal Possession
Does Not Support Legal Market
Bobby Tillman (D)
District 3
Supports Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Civil Fines
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
It's past time for legalization of cannabis, legalization would grow the economy, release our brothers and sisters from undue pentalties and cannabis and help will help rebuild our dying soil. Supply local farmers with income and benefit our health.
Joe P. Herrera (D)
District 24
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
Keenen Colbert (D)
District 2
Supports Medical Cannabis
I support fully legalizing cannabis for medical or recreational purposes for the state of Texas
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
I don't think the possession of these products should be fined at all but I would support this as a step in the right direction towards fully legalizing cannabis
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
Shannon Dicely (D)
District 11
Supports Medical Cannabis
As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand how difficult cancer treatment can be. Texans undergoing serious medical treatment should have access to every safe, evidence-based option that can help manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Low-level drug offenses disproportionately impact communities of color and can pull people into the criminal justice system when they don’t need to be there. I support legalizing and regulating THC so adults can access it safely without facing criminal penalties or fines. This would allow law enforcement to focus limited resources on violent crime.
Supports Legal Possession
Cannabis/THC should be regulated and legal for adults 21 and older. By regulating it in this way, we can protect consumers, collect taxes, and keep products away from children.
Supports Legal Market
In 2024, alcohol killed over 10,000 Texans while Hemp-derived THC deaths was essentially zero. Clearly, cannabis is the safer of these options. Rather than banning it, we need to regulate it so that adults can make their own choices about their medical treatment and/or recreation.
Julie Dahlberg (D)
District 21
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
Paul Thomasson (D)
District 5
Supports Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Civil Fines
Cannabis should be legalized, decriminalized, regulated for safety and taxed.
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market
Laticia Ambroz (D)
District 1
Supports Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Civil Fines
There should not be any fines. We should make cannabis legal.
Supports Legal Possession
Cannabis is a mush safer drug than alcohol. Regulate it like alcohol, collect the taxes, like alcohol.
Supports Legal Market
Taxes collected should go to help the mental health issues in our state.
Ted Brown (L)
State of Texas
Supports Medical Cannabis
Adults should be able to use cannabis for any reasons they want, including medical or recreational.
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
There should be no penalty at all. I want full legalization. But the small fine is much better than what we have now.
Supports Legal Possession
Yes, adults should be able to use cannabis for any reason they wish. I would even lower the age to 18.
Supports Legal Market
Cannabis should be legal. The only regulations should be: 1) adults only; and 2) truth in labeling on all products
Ken Paxton (R) — D
State of Texas
Currently is the Attorney General of Texas, and has served in that role since 2015. During his role as Attorney General, he sued five cities — Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Denton, and Elgin — with Home Rule Charters that decriminalized cannabis possession.. The 15th Court of Appeals sided with AG Paxton and nullified those votes. He argued these municipal rules violated the Texas Constitution and the Texas Local Government Code, which forbid local governments from refusing to enforce state drug laws. A separate suit nullified a similar ordinance in Dallas. He has described marijuana as an "illicit substance" linked by psychologists to psychosis and other negative consequences.
Does Not Support Medical Cannabis
Does Not Support Reducing to Civil Fine
Does Not Support Legal Possession
Does Not Support Legal Market
James Talarico (D) — A
State of Texas
Currently a state representative from District 50 (Austin area), and was previously a representative from District 52, (2018-2023). He has worked as an educator before he embarked on public service. He has been a vocal advocate for ending cannabis prohibition in Texas and sponsored HB5307 in the 2025 session. He actively fought against SB3, which sought to ban most hemp-derived THC products, referring to the ban as “insane”. He has also stated that the ban was a “gift to the cartels”. He has supported the current federal move to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III and supports legalizing cannabis on the federal level.
Supports Medical Cannabis
Supports Reducing to Civil Fine
Supports Legal Possession
Supports Legal Market