AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds of Texans spent Monday at the state Capitol sounding off on two bills that could restrict consumable THC products or even ban them outright.
The ban is one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s top priorities this session.
So many people showed up for the Texas House State Affairs Committee hearing on Monday that people spilled into the lobby and an overflow room.
On the committee’s agenda were two bills related to hemp consumables.
Since 2019, products with 0.3% THC or less have been legal in Texas. Senate Bill 3 would end that.
House Bill 28 would still allow delta-9 THC products within that range but limit serving size.
Both bills would still let adults buy CBD and CBG products. Neither would impact the state’s medical cannabis program, the Compassionate Use Program.
The testimony given early Monday was overwhelmingly against HB 28. Some speakers think its restrictions are too harsh for a product they say has positively impacted their lives.
“Two years ago, my husband was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 40,” said Courtney Holmes. “We felt strongly led by God to pursue a natural healing path. Cannabis has played a huge critical role in why he is thriving today. It manages pain, stiffness, anxiety, sleep, movement, as well as being neuroprotective and helping with those neurological symptoms.”
Some hemp industry leaders believe HB 28 is unfair.
“It is unclear why the liquid form of THC would be treated differently or considered safer than the other forms of consumables, such as gummies,” said Mark Bordas, executive director of Texas Hemp Business Council. “They are both ingested by the consumer and absorbed into the bloodstream.”
Other opponents of HB 28 think the restrictions don’t go far enough.
“My brother was a healthy, successful 24-year-old with no signs or family history of mental illness,” said Isabelle Richter. “Everything changed when he bought a synthetic THC vape legally in a local smoke shop in Bee Cave. Within a few short months, he became paranoid, isolated himself completely and suffered a serious psychotic break that required hospitalization.”
Many speakers agreed on the need to crack down on “bad actors” in the hemp industry.
Both bills would tighten testing, labeling and packaging requirements. They would also ban marketing to minors.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, the Texas House State Affairs Committee was still discussing HB 28 and had not yet taken up SB 3.
If the House State Affairs Committee advances either of these bills, they could head to the full Texas House for a vote.
The full Texas Senate passed SB 3 on March 19 by a vote of 24-7.