AUSTIN, Texas — President Joe Biden has kept to his campaign promise to pardon past federal offenses of marijuana possession, while also working to change the cannabis plant’s classification, and he’s called upon governors to do the same.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s take on the plant has not changed in the slightest during his time in office. Despite appeals from veterans and people with chronic illnesses that could benefit from the use of marijuana, he maintains a tight grip on the notion that it’s a criminal offense.

So, it wasn’t uncharacteristic of Abbott’s office to disagree with Biden’s latest pardon, the governor thinking of the effects it could have on Texans. 

“Texas is not in the habit of taking criminal justice advice from the leader of the defund police party and someone who has overseen a criminal justice system run amuck with cashless bail and a revolving door for violent criminals. The Governor of Texas can only pardon individuals who have been through the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles system with a recommendation for pardon,” said a spokesperson for Abbott. 

On the other end of the marijuana debate is Abbott’s Democratic challenger, Beto O’ Rourke.

The gubernatorial candidate shared his plans if elected as governor of Texas, making promises similar to Biden's. 

In a follow-up tweet upon Biden’s pardon announcement, O’Rourke reiterated his position on the matter.

Just a week ago, Abbott and O’Rourke went head-to-head in a sole official debate with the gubernatorial election a month out.

Although O’Rourke received much praise for how he stood his own going up against Abbott, polls show the governor still has an edge over the challenger.