LOS ANGELES- The Texas Senate has approved Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), a measure aimed at prohibiting the sale of products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component found in cannabis. The bill, authored by Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock, received a 24-7 vote and now moves to the Texas House for consideration.
SB 3 seeks to ban consumable hemp products containing any amount of THC, including derivatives such as Delta-8 and Delta-9, which have become widely available in Texas following the 2019 legalization of hemp. This earlier legislation permitted the sale of hemp-derived products with THC concentrations below 0.3%, leading to the proliferation of retail outlets offering various THC-infused items.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has identified the regulation of THC products as a legislative priority, expressing concerns about public health and safety. He emphasized the potential risks associated with these products, particularly among minors, stating, “This is a poison in our public, and we as a Legislature — our No. 1 responsibility is life and death issues.”
Opponents of the bill, including Senator Sarah Eckhardt of Austin, argue that an outright ban could adversely affect the state’s hemp industry and advocate for stricter regulation instead. Eckhardt remarked, “I believe this bill goes too far, in that it would put out of business the consumable hemp industry in Texas.”
The Texas House is considering a related proposal, House Bill 28 (HB 28), which aims to impose stricter oversight and licensing requirements on the hemp industry rather than implementing a comprehensive ban on THC products. The differences between SB 3 and HB 28 will need to be reconciled before any legislation is enacted.
