Podcast giant Joe Rogan warned Texas Republicans that efforts to completely ban marijuana and THC products could backfire politically, arguing that younger voters could turn against the GOP and ultimately help turn the reliably red state blue.
Rogan sounded the alarm during the latest episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” released Thursday, while discussing restrictions on marijuana and pornography in Republican-led states.
“The THC thing…Here’s what Texas doesn’t understand. You will f— this place up and you will turn the whole thing blue,” Rogan said. “Kids will turn on you if you tell them they can’t smoke weed. They know weed’s not killing anybody!”
Medical marijuana is currently legal in Texas through the state’s Compassionate Use Program.
The legal landscape surrounding other THC products, however, has become more complicated after the Texas Department of State Health Services reinstated previous controlled substance bans covering products containing cannabinoids including delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC and THCP.
Those substances are now classified as Schedule I controlled substances, a move that has sent shockwaves through the state’s hemp industry.
The Texas Tribune reported this week that a federal judge denied a motion seeking a temporary restraining order against the reclassification.
Andrea Steel, lead counsel for several hemp retailers and a distributor challenging the move, said the ruling did not settle the broader legal fight.
“A temporary restraining order is emergency relief, held to one of the toughest standards in federal law,” Steel said. “Being denied one at this stage does not decide our case. We expected a hard fight, and we remain confident in the law.”
Rogan has long been a vocal marijuana user and advocate for full legalization.
The podcast host moved from California, where recreational marijuana is legal, to Texas in 2020. Since making the move, Rogan has repeatedly criticized Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom over the state’s taxes, regulations and COVID-era restrictions.
Texas remains a reliably Republican state, but Democrats are looking to score significant victories there, including in the Senate contest featuring Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton. Talarico has been polling close to Paxton.
Rogan has previously expressed concerns about Texas potentially shifting toward Democrats, particularly as people relocate to the state.
His latest warning, however, was directed at Republicans and the possibility that their own policies could push voters away from the party.
Rogan argued that banning marijuana could alienate younger Texans and threaten the political balance of the state.
He has previously warned that Democrats moving to Texas could similarly disrupt that balance.
“You’re going to ruin it for you too — you don’t get it,” Rogan said previously. “Like, balance is important.”
This time, Rogan’s message to Texas Republicans was clear: cracking down on marijuana and THC products could carry political consequences with younger voters.
[READ MORE: Larry Kudlow Questions Peggy Flanagan’s Native American Heritage Before Record Is Set Straight]
