Texans speak out against proposed hemp ban in 18-Hour Capitol hearing
Editor's note: The video above first aired April 2 in a separate story regarding the hemp ban and how it could impact local businesses.
AUSTIN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Hundreds of Texans crowded the Capitol on Monday, speaking out against two controversial bills that could reshape the state's booming hemp industry, or dismantle it altogether. What began as a standard House Committee on State Affairs hearing stretched more than 18 hours, as person after person testified in passionate opposition to Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 28.
The proposed legislation, backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and authored in part by Sen. Charles Perry, seeks to impose sweeping restrictions on hemp-derived THC products.
SB 3, which passed the Senate last month in a 24-7 vote, would ban all retail cannabinoid sales except for CBD and CBG. That includes Delta-8, Delta-9, and hemp-infused beverage products that currently make up the majority of the state's $8 billion hemp economy.
'If passed, Senate Bill 3 would wipe out the entire industry,' said Taylor Kirk, who runs a small craft hemp farm in Giddings. 'It would hand the market to illicit actors, drive small businesses out, and rob patients and veterans of legal, effective options.'
The Community Responds
Business owners, veterans, parents, medical patients, and even pastors stood before lawmakers to defend their access to hemp-derived products. Many emphasized that prohibition would not eliminate demand, but would push it into unregulated and potentially unsafe markets.
'I came off of fentanyl using hemp gummies,' said Pamela McKinley, a disabled woman living with a rare pain disorder. 'Now I can't afford the state's compassionate use program. Hemp is the only thing I can access for relief. Without it, I don't know how I'll live.'
THC ban could cut off relief for Texas seniors and veterans, smoke shop owners say
From Austin to Amarillo, comments submitted to the committee echoed the same message: Texans don't want a ban. In fact, more than 300 pages of public testimony were submitted, with an overwhelming majority against the legislation.
One commenter, a small business owner from Longview, wrote, 'These products have made a real difference in people's lives — and removing them won't eliminate demand, it will just remove safety.'
HB 28: A Softer Approach?
While SB 3 proposes an outright ban on intoxicating hemp products, HB 28, introduced by Rep. Ken King, takes a slightly different approach. It would allow some hemp-infused beverages to remain legal but place them under the regulation of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. It would also restrict serving sizes and impose stricter testing, labeling, and packaging requirements.
Still, many see HB 28 as a backdoor ban that benefits alcohol industry interests while marginalizing hemp businesses.
'This bill carves out drinks, but it still decimates the industry,' said Mitch Fuller, the legislative chairman for the Texas VFW. 'Thousands of veterans use these products to avoid the pharmaceutical cocktail of opioids and antidepressants.'
Others agreed, warning of what they see as an attempt to consolidate the industry in the hands of larger players. 'This is a calculated attempt to destroy small businesses and hand the market over to big alcohol and pharma,' said one Austin-based grower.
The Emotional Toll of Policy
Not all opposition was economic. Several families shared personal stories of how hemp has helped them manage mental illness, PTSD, and chronic disease. At least two parents shared stories of losing their children to psychosis linked to synthetic THC, arguing that regulation, not prohibition, is the answer.
'This bill isn't just about products. It's about people,' said Austin Zamhariri, executive director of the Texas Cannabis Collective. 'What's needed is smart regulation, age restrictions, full-panel testing, packaging safeguards. But banning these products outright is not what Texans want.'
Where the Bills Stand
As of Tuesday, SB 3 remains pending in the House State Affairs Committee. HB 28 also has not advanced to a vote, though lawmakers are expected to take action soon. If either bill clears the committee, it will head to the full House for debate.
According to public records, SB 3 was left pending in committee as of April 8, following the continuation of Monday's marathon hearing.
The Stakes: Health, Jobs, and Liberty
The stakes are high. The hemp industry in Texas supports an estimated 50,000 jobs and generates millions in tax revenue annually. But for many, it's not just about the economy…it's about autonomy, medicine, and freedom of choice.
'Texans don't want prohibition. We want protection. We want to be treated like adults,' said Lauren Bridges, a salon owner and cannabis advocate from Longview. 'Let us choose what works for our bodies, and let's build regulation that works not tear it all down.'
With lawmakers under pressure from both sides, and the legislative clock ticking toward June 2, the future of Texas hemp hangs in the balance.
You can read all public testimonies submitted to the Texas House State Affairs Committee in full here:
TEXAS-HEMP-COMMENTSDownload
TEXAS-HEMP-COMMENTS-2Download
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