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Yesterday hearings on two bills which threaten to ‘dismantle’ Texas’s thriving hemp industry ran for a marathon of 18 hours, with the majority of participants testifying against the punitive measures.
During the Texas House Committee on State Affairs hearing, testimony was heard from industry experts, stakeholders, patients and veterans on both House Bill 28, and Senate Bill 3.
Last month, the Senate approved SB 3 by an overwhelming majority, which seeks to prohibit the retail sale of any cannabinoid in Texas, except CBD and CBG.
Should the bill be passed by the House, Delta 8, Delta 9, and all other forms of intoxicating THC, including beverages would be banned entirely, a move which would decimate the $8bn industry and impact tens of thousands of jobs.
The less extreme of the two proposals, HB 28, would mirror many of these policies but exempt hemp-infused beverages, and place the regulation under the umbrella of the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC).
Hundreds of advocates from across the state came to offer testimony throughout the day, warning that both bills would have severe consequences for public health, the economy, and personal freedom.
It’s understood that the overwhelming majority of testimony during the hearing, which lasted from 8am until just after 2am the next morning, were against the proposed bans.
Federal and State Legislative Chairman for the Texas VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), Mitch Fuller, said that SB 3 would ban ‘effective, affordable, and accessible’ alternatives to ‘to the harmful pharmaceutical cocktail of opioids and anti-depressants utilized by thousands of Veterans’.
“Senate Bill 3 would eliminate these therapeutic options that many veterans rely on to manage service-connected conditions.”
Courtney Holmes, a healthcare professional and caregiver, added: “As a clinical expert, business owner, nonprofit founder, and caregiver to my husband living with young-onset Parkinson’s, I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing benefits of plant-based medicine. Cannabis is not a poison—it’s a safe, natural, God-given tool that can provide real healing when used responsibly.
Austin Zamhariri, Executive Director of the Texas Cannabis Collective, also argued that a blanket ban on hemp would be a ‘tremendous mistake primed with unintended consequences’.
“Lawmakers have the opportunity to bring common sense approaches to regulating hemp cannabis products like age restrictions, full panel testing practices, and child-resistant packaging standards. And such an approach is far more in tune with the overwhelming majority of Texas citizens.”
The campaign to ban all THC products has been largely driven by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Senator Charles Perry, who advocates argue have utilized ‘alarmist rhetoric and unfounded claims’ to sway opinion.
“Concerns about semi-synthetic THC can be directly addressed through regulatory enforcement and by legalizing natural cannabis,” said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.
A decision on both bills is now pending, and according to Fazio could come as soon as the next state affairs meeting, though if amendments are forthcoming, this timeline could be significantly extended.
“}]] Yesterday hearings on two bills which threaten to ‘dismantle’ Texas’s thriving hemp industry ran for a marathon of 18 hours, with the majority of participants testifying against the punitive measures. Read More
