Joe Rogan says Texas Republicans lost ground in the midterms because of their war on THC products.
The Austin-based podcaster made the claim during Wednesday's episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, telling guest and UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett that the party's crackdown on hemp-derived THC was one of the deciding factors in a poor Republican showing. "Texas f---ed up," Rogan said. "They passed some crazy laws banning THC products, and it's probably cost them the election."
Pimblett, drinking a Willie's Remedy THC beverage on air, assumed marijuana was already legal in the state. Rogan corrected him, then admitted he was unsure where the infused drink itself stands legally. "It's legal in Colorado. It's legal in New York now. It's legal everywhere," Rogan said. "Texas is ass-backwards when it comes to weed."
Rogan relocated to Austin from California in 2020, citing pandemic restrictions and an attraction to the state's conservative values and emphasis on personal freedom. He says he is not a Republican, though he endorsed Donald Trump and has hosted Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dan Crenshaw. State cannabis policy has been the one recurring irritation in nearly six years of Texas living.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led the push against THC and hemp products such as Delta 8, which were legal in Texas until the ban took effect July 31. Rogan has accused Patrick of doing the bidding of the alcohol industry and warned before the vote that the policy would haunt the party and turn Texas blue.
Lt. Gov. elect Vikki Goodwin, a Democrat, is set to unseat Patrick. On the first day of legislative prefiling, Texas Democrats introduced a package of bills to legalize recreational use and possession and to open the door to commercial sales.
Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and state-level legalization does not resolve that conflict.