Kinky Friedman, who is competing in a runoff election Tuesday for the Democratic Party nomination for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, describes his race as “kind of a referendum on lifting this prohibition on hemp and on pot.” Can Friedman, who has gained notoriety among potential Texas voters as a singer/songwriter, mystery book writer, Texas Monthly columnist, and Texas governor candidate, bring legal marijuana and hemp to Texas?
While many people may view Texas as among the least likely states for a candidate promoting marijuana and hemp legalization to win statewide office, polling indicates a majority of Texans support marijuana legalization. Nevertheless, Texas politicians are reluctant to legalize, likely in part because they are concerned about a backlash from the minority of Texans who support the war on marijuana.
Friedman’s bold pro-legalization statewide campaign may help subdue this fear among politicians in Texas and around the nation. Indeed, even if Friedman fails to win the runoff, his winning of over 37% of the vote in the first round of the Democratic Party primary (just one percent less than the other candidate making the runoff) is significant. It demonstrates that a bold pro-legalization message does not prevent a candidate from being competitive statewide in the Democratic Party.
Friedman’s marijuana stance is indeed bold. His campaign website clearly portrays a vote for Friedman as predominantly a vote for marijuana and hemp legalization. At the top, the home page states in large, red, capital letters “KINKY SAYS LEGALIZE NOW!” and, as if to ensure there is no ambiguity, right next to that statement is the large image of a green marijuana leaf. Further down the page, the Friedman campaign lists six campaign issues, with “End the Prohibition on Marijuana” listed first and “Promote the Cultivation of Hemp” second.
If Friedman wins the Democratic Party runoff, the next test is whether his “legalization referendum” can appeal to enough voters—including Republicans, independents, and people who typically do not vote—to make Friedman the first non-Republican elected to office statewide in Texas since 1994. Achieving that victory would send a powerful message regarding the political viability of marijuana and hemp legalization in Texas and beyond.<
