AUSTIN, Texas – Two Texas House Democrats filed bills Monday, Nov. 9, that would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older, allow home growing and set up a state-licensed system of growers and stores, according to the bill texts posted by the Texas Legislature.

State Rep. John Bucy III filed House Bill 362 and State Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso filed House Bill 369. Both bills are titled the Texas Regulation of Cannabis Act, and both were filed on the first day lawmakers could prefile bills for the 90th Texas Legislature, according to Texas Legislature Online.

What The Bills Would Allow

Under both bills, an adult 21 or older could use, possess and transport up to 2 ounces of cannabis, with no more than 15 grams of that amount in concentrate form. Adults could also give up to 2 ounces to another adult as long as no money changes hands and the transfer is not advertised, according to the bill texts.

Adults could grow up to 12 cannabis plants at their private home. The plants would have to be kept in an enclosed, locked area that cannot be seen from a public place without aircraft or optical aids. Any amount over 2 ounces kept at home would have to be stored in a locked container or area.

The bills would not allow smoking or consuming cannabis in a vehicle on a public road or in a public place, unless a local government designates an area for it that is closed to anyone younger than 21. Property owners could still ban cannabis on property they own or manage, but a landlord could not stop a residential tenant from possessing cannabis, according to the bill texts.

Licensing And A 20 Percent Tax

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation would license and regulate cannabis growers, stores, testing labs and transporters, according to the bills. Cities and counties could not ban or unreasonably restrict licensed cannabis businesses.

A 20% tax would apply to sales from a store to a customer, and a 15% tax would apply to sales from a grower to a store. The money would be split, with 10% going to local governments that have cannabis businesses to help cover their oversight costs, 15% to drug abuse prevention and treatment, 25% to the fund for veterans’ assistance and the rest to the permanent school fund, according to the bill texts.

If passed, the bills would take effect Sept. 1, 2027.

What Happens Next

The Texas Cannabis Collective noted on Facebook that the two bills essentially legalize adult use, end possession arrests, allow home cultivation and set industry standards for commercial sales. Like all prefiled bills, House Bill 362 and House Bill 369 will be referred to committees after the session begins Jan. 12, 2027. They would need to pass both the House and the Senate and be signed by the governor or become law without a signature.

Also read: Eagle Pass Rep Eddie Morales Files 14 Bills Including FM 1021 And Border Hotel Tax Changes

Sources: House Bill 362 introduced text | House Bill 369 introduced text | Texas Legislature Online history for House Bill 362 | Texas Legislature Online history for House Bill 369

Image: First pages of House Bill 369 and House Bill 362 as filed. Texas Legislature.