In Texas, there's considerable pressure from the alcohol industry lobby to maintain stricter regulations against cannabis legalization. The underlying mechanism is straightforward: alcohol consumption and cannabis use represent competing consumer choices. When people have legal access to cannabis, their alcohol consumption patterns tend to shift—they may simply drink less. This creates a direct economic conflict between two industries competing for the same consumer spending and leisure time. The lobbying effort essentially reflects a market protection strategy rather than purely regulatory concerns, highlighting how entrenched industries work to defend market share against emerging alternatives. It's a textbook example of how special interests can shape policy outcomes, regardless of public health or individual preference considerations.