A panel of state senators voted to advance the bill to a full Senate vote after hearing several hours of public testimony.
AUSTIN, Texas — A new bill that would ban consumable hemp products containing THC, the compound in cannabis that can get users high, will head to the Texas Senate for a full vote.
The Senate Committee on State Affairs voted 10-0 on Tuesday afternoon to advance Senate Bill 5 after hearing more than six hours of invited and public testimony.
SB 5 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) would ban the sale of consumable hemp products with THC, while keeping CBD and CBG products legal.
SB 5 would ban selling or marketing consumable hemp products to anyone under 21, while also adding new labeling and packaging requirements.
The bill would also create new criminal penalties, from making manufacturing or distribution a third-degree felony to labeling possession a Class C misdemeanor.
Supporters of a ban shared stories of psychosis and other negative health impacts they link to some THC products.
“At first, I didn’t notice anything major, but slowly things changed,” said Hunter Rodriguez. “I became paranoid. I began hearing voices that weren’t real. I was convinced people were watching me. I would check the vents for hidden cameras. I was afraid to go outside. I felt like I was losing control of my own mind.”
Opponents say other legal drugs are far more dangerous.
“There is more than 10,000 alcohol deaths per year in Texas from excessive alcohol consumption, per the CDC numbers,” said Lukas Gilkey, CEO of Hometown Hero in Austin. “Why are we not focused on alcohol? The amount of money being provided by the alcohol industry and lobbyists in this state is highly concerning.”
Many THC users and sellers told lawmakers they too want to see more regulation.
“I know that there should be regulation behind this,” said Andrew Dickerson, district manager of Rock ‘N Roll It in Beaumont. “It shouldn’t be accessible to children. At the moment, I don’t see it accessible to children, at least not in the shop that I manage. I can’t speak to less reputable vendors.”
However, some police chiefs and Republican lawmakers questioned whether regulation is feasible.
“It is the opinion of the Texas Police Chiefs Association that no amount of personnel or resources in a state this large with this many locations will ever be effective in regulating these dangerous products,” said Chief Steve Dye of Allen Police Department, who supports a total ban.
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a similar bill passed during the regular session after intense public pressure.
On Tuesday afternoon, KVUE received the following statement from Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, in response to questions about the governor’s current position:
“Governor Abbott has been clear that Texas must do all we can to protect the lives of children while protecting the liberty of adults. Hemp products should be banned for those under the age of 21, with a full ban on extraordinarily dangerous synthetic products. Adults should be able to access heavily regulated, nonintoxicating levels of hemp, and there should be strict legal enforcement of hemp that exceeds 3.0 milligrams total THC per serving. The Governor will continue working with the legislature to establish a framework that meets those goals.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has also called for a full ban on THC products. SB 5 was on a list he released on Tuesday of 16 bills for this special session.
As of the end of Tuesday, just 28 days remain for lawmakers to tackle them.