Texas lawmakers consider ban on all THC products
Texas lawmakers consider ban on all THC products
State lawmakers are preparing to debate legislation that could shut down the sale of all forms of THC in Texas. The crackdown is a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. But, groups that sell the products are trying to keep them available.
AUSTIN, Texas - State lawmakers are preparing to debate legislation that could shut down the sale of all forms of THC in Texas.
The crackdown is a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. But, groups that sell the products are trying to keep them available.
Will there be a sales ban on all THC products?
The backstory:
A priority bill for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is still being drafted.
SB 3 is legislation that could result in the repeal of the 2019 law that legalized the sale of hemp products with low levels of THC.
What they're saying:
Lawmakers like Senator Robert Nichols told FOX 7 he supports a rollback because of how some products are now being sold.
"And the stores have taken advantage of this and gone into things that are way over .3%. And like I said, its in gummy bears, laced smokes, and a lot of other stuff. So, it has gotten way out of control," said Sen. Nichols (R) Jacksonville.
In the House, it’s unclear if a total "repeal" from the Senate will pass. But there is clear support for reform.
"We need to get back to the basics," said State Rep Jeff Barry.
The Republican from Brazoria County said he agrees with Patrick's call for a sales ban, and did not seem surprised the issue, and the debate, have come back up.
"It kind of goes back to the old adage, give them a give them an inch. They take a mile. And never underestimate the creativity of the Texas entrepreneur. Right. So, we just need to, again, kind of rein it in a little bit and understand exactly how these retail operations are truly affecting the kids in our communities and make sure that we can protect them first and foremost," said Barry.
Rep. Barry indicated low THC products could be regulated like medicinal marijuana. That’s a step that Senator Nichols also suggested.
"I think there's still a place for some of the prescription medicines that we originally did to control epilepsy and some of the other real painful cancers and things. And so, I would hope that we could back up to that point," said Senator Nichols.
Sen. Charles Perry, reportedly, will sponsor the THC sales ban.
The other side:
Business owners who sell hemp products with low THC say a total ban will hurt their customers, especially those who uses them as alternatives for things like pain medication.
The Texas Hemp Business Council is trying to convince lawmakers to take a different approach.
"We think that this call for a ban is misguided at best," said Mark Bordas, the Executive Director for the council.
Enforcement, not a ban, is what Bordas is lobbying for. He is calling for a crackdown to weed out those not complying with the original intent of the law.
"Refining Regulations, making sure the public is safe. And by their purchasing, they're getting what they're purchasing. And then, as far as the refining regulations, we're talking about age restrictions. Just as you do with tobacco, nicotine, alcohol," suggested Bordas.
What's next:
Currently, 12 bills have already been filed regarding THC and marijuana. Most are in the House and none involve a sales ban.
One bill is an attempt to legalize marijuana, but it has little chance of getting a hearing. Another would create a special research council on marijuana. That bill could get some traction during the session.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Rudy Koski