El Paso was the first American city to individually restrict cannabis.

In 1919, transfer of cannabis for non-medical use was made a misdemeanor crime. Possession remained legal.

Possession of cannabis was banned statewide in 1931.

In June 1973, House Bill 447 was signed into law. Prior to its passage, possession of any amount of cannabis in Texas was a felony offense punishable with up to life in prison. HB 447 made possession of up to two ounces a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a $1000 fine and prison sentence of no more than 180 days.

In June 2007, House Bill 2391 allowed police to "cite and release" for possession of up to 4 oz. of cannabis. The same harsh penalties still applied, but the offender was not immediately arrested.

In June 2015, Senate Bill 339 (the Texas Compassionate Use Act) allowed the use of low-THC (less than 0.5% THC) cannabis oil for treatment of a specific subset of epilepsy patients, if other qualifying conditions were met.

In April 2019, the Texas House of Representatives approved House Bill 63, intended to make possession of up to one ounce a Class C (rather than a Class B) misdemeanor. This would have eliminated the threat of jail time and reduced the fine to $500. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick refused to allow Texas Senators a vote on it.

In June 2019, House Bill 1325 legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp containing less than 0.3% THC. It also legalized possession and sale of hemp-derived CBD products without need for a doctor's approval.

In June 2019, House Bill 3703 increased the number of qualifying conditions eligible for treatment under the state's low-THC medical cannabis program by adding terminal cancer, autism, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), seizure disorders, and incurable neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's Disease.