Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Texas law
Cannabis laws in Austin follow Texas’s state law. Local variations are uncommon—jurisdiction law sets the baseline for legality and penalties.
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical use is limited to low-THC products for specific conditions. Possession remains prohibited under state law. Some hemp-derived products may be sold under separate rules, but that does not mean marijuana is legal, and legality can depend on product content and labeling.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: CBD/low-THC only
- Possession: Illegal
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Subject to state laws
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products.
Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
Texas enacted the Compassionate Use Act in 2015, establishing a low-THC medical cannabis program (initially under 0.5% THC, later expanded slightly) for patients with qualifying conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and terminal cancer through licensed dispensaries. Recreational use remains fully illegal, with possession treated as a criminal offense (misdemeanor for small amounts, escalating to felonies).
Law Enforcement
Austin police were seen as more occupied with serious crimes, and street smoking could seem commonplace. There was a perception that traffic stops on the East Side hit minority drivers harder, particularly when people smoked blunts in the car.
Where to Buy Marijuana
Red River Street, Sixth Street and Guadalupe, better known as the Drag, all came up. University of Texas students had plenty of connections, though campus prices could run high. West and North Campus were more reliable in some accounts, particularly around the coffeehouses or when students were out at night. Others considered buying downtown a gamble because the people and quality were unknown. Around the bars, friendly people with a drink in them sometimes knew someone too.
Marijuana Prices
- Schwag: US$5–7 per gram, US$20 for a quarter, US$30 for a half ounce and US$40–60 for an ounce
- Chronic: US$50–60 for an eighth and US$90–120 for a quarter
- Other homegrown flower often ran US$20–30 per gram
Types of Marijuana
Kind bud and chronic turned up more often than Mexican brick or fire schwag. Good flower often came from somebody’s closet. Blueberry, Northern Lights, Purple Haze and AK-47 were among the names, with plenty of other odd labels. Indica was especially common.
More Information
Austin had a friendly homegrown scene. Some of the local bud was strong enough that one hit did it. In Texas, Austin felt hard to beat for both the weed and the company.