AUSTIN — Optimistic advocates hope Texas will legalize the green to make more green. Low oil prices could make the stakes higher than ever for Texas’ economic future when lawmakers meet to pass the state’s next budget in 2017.

At a South by Southwest panel early Tuesday morning, advocates pondered if those low oil prices could clear the smoke and pave a path to marijuana legalization in the Lone Star State.

“The big picture thing to keep in mind is we’re going to have less money in our budget in 2017,” said Phillip Martin, deputy director of Progress Texas.

He speculated marijuana could be taxed and become a revenue stream for the state.

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Bobby Blanchard ~ Dallas Morning News ~