GOP Of Texas Gears Up To Battle Cannabis Legalization
On Tuesday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled what he calls “a major legislative initiative,” announcing Senate Bill 3, which aims to ban all forms of consumable Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the state.
Regarding hemp-derived products that “might include un-removable non-intoxicating trace amounts of Delta 9 THC,” a statement released by the Patrick’s office reads: “Dangerously, retailers exploited the agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and made them easily accessible,” Patrick said, referring to the aftermath of the 2019 passage of House Bill 1325.
Originally designed to boost Texas agriculture, the bill aligned the state with Farm Bill 2028, which permitted hemp commercialization. It also created a legal gray area exploited by businesses to sell products that otherwise would be banned in Texas.
This loophole has been exploited by hemp-derived manufacturers and sellers, who …