Hundreds of Texans gathered at the state Capitol on Monday to express their opinions on two proposed bills that could either restrict or outright ban consumable THC products. These bills are among the top priorities for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick this legislative session. The turnout was so large that many attendees had to spill into the lobby and an overflow room during the Texas House State Affairs Committee hearing.
The bills on the agenda, Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 28, address the legality of hemp consumables. Since 2019, products containing 0.3% THC or less have been legal in Texas. If passed, Senate Bill 3 would abolish this allowance entirely. In contrast, House Bill 28 would permit delta-9 THC products in that range but would impose limits on serving sizes. Both bills would still allow the purchase of CBD and CBG products for adults and would not affect the state’s medical cannabis program, known as the Compassionate Use Program.
Testimonies during the hearing were predominantly against HB 28, with many speakers arguing that its restrictions are overly severe for products that have positively impacted their lives. Courtney Holmes shared a personal story about her husband, who was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease at age 40. She stated that cannabis has played a “huge critical role” in his health, helping manage pain, anxiety, and other symptoms.
Mark Bordas, the executive director of the Texas Hemp Business Council, criticized the bill, questioning why the liquid form of THC would be treated differently than other consumable forms like gummies. He emphasized that both types are ingested and absorbed into the bloodstream.
In contrast, some individuals believed that the restrictions in HB 28 do not go far enough. Isabelle Richter recounted her brother’s tragic experience after using a synthetic THC vape, which led to a severe psychotic break. Her testimony highlighted the urgent need for better regulation of the industry.
Many speakers agreed on the necessity of clamping down on “bad actors” within the hemp industry. Both proposed bills would enhance testing, labeling, and packaging requirements for hemp products and include a ban on marketing these products to minors.
As of 5 p.m. on Monday, the Texas House State Affairs Committee was still deliberating on HB 28 and had not yet addressed SB 3. If either bill is approved by the committee, it could move to the full Texas House for a vote. Notably, the full Texas Senate previously passed SB 3 on March 19 with a vote of 24-7.
