News Summary
Texas lawmakers have voted to ban the sale and possession of THC-infused hemp products, following prior approvals in both the House and Senate. The bill could impact over 8,000 businesses in the state’s $4 billion hemp industry, raising fears of job losses and business closures. Advocates argue it poses a serious wellness threat to many Texans, while opponents express concerns about government overreach and the potential rise of illegal markets. As the bill awaits the governor’s decision, both supporters and critics anxiously await its fate.
Texas lawmakers have approved a bill that proposes a ban on the sale and possession of THC-infused hemp products, which includes popular items such as edibles, oils, and vapes. The state House of Representatives passed the bill with a vote of 95-44, while the Senate approved it earlier with a vote of 24-7. This legislation is expected to have a significant adverse effect on Texas’s burgeoning hemp industry, a sector valued at approximately $4 billion, encompassing over 8,000 businesses and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has yet to publicly express his stance regarding the bill, leaving many stakeholders and the broader community uncertain about its future. The Texas Hemp Business Council has publicly called upon Governor Abbott to veto the bill, stressing that such a ban would harm numerous Texans who use hemp-derived products for health and wellness, notably impacting veterans and other individuals who rely on these products.
The legislation has emerged as a top priority for Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. He has voiced concerns about THC products, deeming them a “major public health threat,” specifically for children. Patrick has stressed the urgency of enacting the ban, warning that the failure to do so could result in grave consequences over the upcoming years.
As proposed, the bill stipulates stricter penalties for the possession of banned hemp products than those currently applied to marijuana. Individuals could face up to one year in jail for non-compliance, in stark contrast to the classification of marijuana possession under two ounces, which is categorized as a Class B misdemeanor and carries a punishment of up to 180 days in jail.
The potential consequences of the bill have raised alarms among business owners and advocates who argue that it could lead to increased criminalization of lawful product usage. Some critics, including Republican Representative Brian Harrison, suggest that the legislation fosters government overreach and may unintentionally push users toward more dangerous substances or the black market, effectively reversing any public health solutions intended by the ban.
In response to this impending legislation, the Texas Hemp Business Council has announced plans to challenge the ban through legal avenues, with preparations already underway to ensure they can effectively combat the bill’s implications. Before it can receive final approval or a veto from Governor Abbott, the bill, which underwent amendments in the House, must return to the Senate for alignment.
The debate over this bill has sparked intense discussions within the state, with advocates and legislators presenting differing opinions on the balance between public health concerns and the economic ramifications of such a ban. Should this bill be enacted into law, Texans would see restrictions on various THC products, including Delta 8 and Delta 9, potentially leading to the closure of thousands of businesses that depend on hemp sales.
The proposed ban reflects ongoing tensions associated with the regulation of hemp and cannabis products at both the state and federal levels. As Texas continues to navigate the complexities of this industry, the outcome of this legislative process will significantly affect numerous stakeholders and the overall landscape of the hemp market in the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Hemp
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Search: Texas hemp THC ban
- KXAN News
- Google Scholar: THC ban Texas
- Fox Business
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hemp products
- Reason.com
- Google News: Texas THC ban
- The Hill
