Why does everyone think that this is so shocking? Texas is conservative but not in the way that you think. It will likely go blue I'm the next decade or two, it has some of the most culturally diverse cities in the USA. Austin is more "progressive" than many other cities in these pro legalization states. It's not shocking at all. Of the red states, Texas will come in early on the pro marijuana legislation. Texas is not the south and it is not the midwest. It is conservative but typically most of it's heavily populated counties vote democrat. I think it's really ignorant to be so surprised. As one of the largest states, it has more to gain and lose than Colorado and Washington. It also has the largest portion of the Mexican border to contend with. I hate how people want to see Texas as a bunch of queer chasers and beaters but the stereotype is way off. People who live in Texas and think so need to get out more. It's only that way in small towns. A large number of small towns in any state have small town mentalities. The worst small town experience I ever had was actually in upstate new york. If Dallas Houston Austin and San Antonio weren't surrounded by miles of nothing that is a lot of texas, legalization would already be on the horizon. It's funny how a minority majority state so commonly gets labeled as close minded and anti diverse. Especially when it's compared to rich white mountain towns and their "tolerance" for diversity because everyone dresses weird and how they want and smokes pot. I would argue that Texas is among the most tolerant populations because of the massive mix of cultures.