Latest news with #SenateBill3
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Texas Expanding Legal Cannabis Access Before Wider Ban
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas could be set to expand access to legal cannabis after a wider ban of THC products was passed in the state House last week. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said on Monday that he had had a "positive conversation" with State Representative Tom Oliverson about expanding eligibility for the state's medical marijuana program, the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP). Under the new plans, chronic pain, terminal illness and hospice care would become qualifying conditions for eligibility. Newsweek has contacted Patrick and Oliverson's offices for comment outside of regular working hours. Marijuana plants being grown in Manchaca, Texas. Marijuana plants being grown in Manchaca, Texas. Eric Gay/AP Why It Matters The dual-track legislative push represents a significant shift for Texas, which could soon have some of the strictest THC product bans in the U.S., while also increasing access to medical marijuana for select patients. A poll from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs indicated that more than 60 percent of Texas residents support legalizing marijuana. What To Know On Wednesday last week, the State House voted to ban all consumable THC hemp products. If Senate Bill 3 is signed into law, the TCUP will become the only way for people in the state to access THC products. House Bill 46 is now being pushed forward by lawmakers, as it would expand the number of people eligible for the medical marijuana program. Lieutenant Governor Patrick said on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday that he and Representative Oliverson would be expanding licenses to 12 new dispensary organizations across the state. He added that they would look to add satellite locations in each public health region of the state "for the first time ever," meaning patients would have improved access to the program. In House Bill 46, people with glaucoma, degenerative disc disease and honorably discharged veterans would also be among the individuals eligible for medical marijuana. Lawmakers now face mounting pressure to move the House bill forward, as SB 3 is getting closer to being signed into law. What People Are Saying Lieutenant Governor Patrick wrote in a post on X on Monday: "The Senate and my concern has always been that we don't want to go back to the days of doctors writing prescriptions for anyone who paid them for a prescription for pain pills. "The Texas Medical Board has put in strong guidelines to prevent that from happening over the last decade. Dr. Oliverson presented a new thoughtful plan that the Senate and I can support that will help those in true need of relief. "I thank Dr. Oliverson for working with the Senate to find a truly amazing expansion of TCUP for those in need of help." What Happens Next House Bill 46 is continuing to progress through the legislative process, but is still a number of steps behind Senate Bill 3.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas Lt. Gov. announces compassionate use expansion amid THC ban
AUSTIN (KXAN) – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Sunday that an expansion for compassionate use is moving forward, as Texas' ban on THC products is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for a signature. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted on X Sunday evening, saying he and Rep. Tom Oliverson 'have come to an agreement on add chronic pain as a qualifying medical condition to TCUP (compassionate use program) for those who suffer chronic pain as currently defined by the Texas Medical Board rules.' Senate Bill 3 bans all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the part of cannabis plants that induce the 'high.' MORE: Texas House bans THC products, reduces criminal penalty for possessing intoxicating hemp Critics argued that the ban will hurt chronic pain sufferers who rely on low-THC products for relief. Patrick's post said he and the authors of House Bill 46, which establishes registration rules for medical THC use, had a 'positive conversation' and they 'look forward to passing this bill for our veterans and those who suffer from chronic pain.' 'The Senate and my concern has always been that we don't want to go back to the days of doctors writing prescriptions for anyone who paid them for a prescription for pain pills,' Patrick wrote, in part. 'Dr. Oliverson presented a new thoughtful plan that the Senate and I can support that will help those in true need of relief.' Patrick said the state will expand licenses from the current number of three, to 12, adding satellite locations in each public health region. He said terminal illness and hospice care have been added as qualifying medical conditions for the compassionate use program and dosage allotments have been increased and standardized. Patrick said this will give 'physicians autonomy to prescribe the right dose for each patient's needs, along with metered dose inhalation delivery systems.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
THC ban will destroy Texas' hemp agriculture industry, farmers say
LUBBOCK — Six years ago, Texas lawmakers opened a door to a new lifeline for farmers: growing hemp. Farmers invested time, money and land into growing the drought-resistant crop and developing the state's budding hemp industry. The same lawmakers are now slamming the door shut. All products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, could soon be banned in Texas. As a result, farmers are bracing for impact as they wait to go out of business. 'We wouldn't be in the hemp business in a million years if they hadn't passed that bill,' said Ann Gauger, co-owner of Caprock Family Farms in Lubbock. 'Now we're one of the largest hemp producers in the U.S., and their ban is going to shut that down.' The Texas hemp industry, in its current form, has effectively been handed a death sentence with the upcoming passage of Senate Bill 3, authored by Lubbock Republican Sen. Charles Perry. On Sunday, the Legislature sent the bill, which bans consumable hemp products that contain even trace amounts of THC, to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. However, hemp can't be produced without traces of THC, farmers say, regardless of the product. The plant has been a target for lawmakers since the start of the legislative session, with the charge led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Patrick pulled out all the stops to make the ban pass, including with surprise visits to dispensaries in Austin and vows for a special session if it failed. Patrick and Perry say the hemp industry exploited a loophole in the bill that did not establish a threshold for hemp derivatives, other than delta-9 THC. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has also walked back his opposition to an outright ban on THC, now aligning with Patrick's position. He deleted a post on X where he called the THC ban a 'sledgehammer' to farmers, and now Miller said the bill will not be detrimental to farmers. Miller said the hemp industry will thrive as it's moving toward producing industrial hemp, a fiber type of hemp that does not contain THC. It could be used in construction materials, rope and more. He said they never intended to have THC available across Texas, and called it a dangerous situation. 'This just puts us back to where we started,' Miller told The Texas Tribune. 'It's going to be detrimental to a lot of businesses that have opened their business model on selling THC products. Those businesses will have to shut.' In lawmakers' pursuit of a ban, growers like Gauger were caught in the crosshairs. Gauger, who runs the business with her husband and two sons, felt ignored by most of the Legislaturestate leaders. Gauger says they did everything they could to get lawmakers to hear them over the last few months and testified to the House committee overseeing the bill. It did not work. 'Charles Perry says he has an open door policy. That is an absolute lie,' Gauger said. 'We live in his district, and he will not see us. We've gone to his office in Austin, but he refuses to see us.' Gauger said House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, and his team were the only ones to speak with the family. Kyle Bingham is another frustrated hemp grower in the South Plains that took a chance on growing the crop. Bingham, who is also president of the Texas Hemp Growers Association, called the bill overreaching and unenforceable. He also said lawmakers involved in writing the bill ignored farmers during the process. Bingham is one of Perry's constituents. 'We were left out of this conversation,' Bingham said. 'Yes, you can go to public hearings, but not having a lot of say and being stonewalled out of the initial bills was frustrating.' Throughout the session, Patrick has rallied against THC products, saying the products put children in danger. Gauger acknowledges there are bad actors in the industry, but says the bill will have a ripple effect. The industry also includes manufacturers, hemp processors, and people to run extractors. 'Throw the low lifes in jail if you want to stop the bad actors,' Gauger said. 'But don't take out the American farmers. Don't take out the ag producers.' Under the legislation, adults would face up to a year in jail for possessing hemp products with any amount of THC in it. This has put a stop to all of Gauger's plans — the family farm was set to plant a large project that would produce 20 million pounds of CBD biomass. Since CBD is produced from hemp seeds, Gauger is worried she would be breaking the law. It wouldn't be ready for harvest until October, a month after the law goes into effect. 'We would be felons if we planted that,' Gauger said. 'The land's already been prepped, herbicides already put out. Once you do that, you can't plant anything else on that land for the season.' Bingham is in a similar position. He uses about 5% of his 2,000-acre farm for hemp, but he saw it as a good alternative in the drought-ridden region. Now, he says he has to walk away from his investment if it's illegal to possess any detectable amounts of THC in the field. 'At this point, they're threatening a felony so I'm out,' Bingham said. 'I'm not risking a felony over this, and I think most farmers in Texas will stop growing too.' Bingham said he's now considering what to do in September when the bill is slated to go into effect. Any products he still has with THC will either have to be sold by then or he will be burning it. He's going to focus more on cotton and wheat, even though he wanted hemp to be in their rotation of crops. Gauger is expecting a downfall for the hemp industry across Texas. Just like growers have to consider the legal consequences, the same applies for retailers and grocery stores that sell consumable hemp products. This includes hemp hearts, hemp seed oil, and even some big brands — KIND bars have a line of granola bars that contain hemp seeds. Perry's team did not respond to a request to comment. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas THC ban: SB3 sent to Gov. Abbott for approval
The Brief The Texas Legislature has sent Senate Bill 3 to Gov. Abbott's desk for approval. The bill would ban all THC products in the state. Non-intoxicating CBD and CBG would still be allowed. AUSTIN - A bill banning THC products in the state of Texas is headed to Governor Greg Abbott's desk. On Sunday, the Texas Senate agreed to changes to Senate Bill 3 made by the House. The bill passed by a 25-6 vote. Dig deeper SB 3 will ban all cannabinoids in consumable hemp products except CBD and CBG. Businesses in the state were allowed to sell THC products after a 2019 expansion of the hemp industry in Texas opened a loophole. Those products included THC-laced edibles, drinks, vapes and more. SB 3 was passed by the Senate before being amended in the House, and was passed to its third and final reading earlier this week. Small business owners lead the pack in opposition of the bill. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a major proponent of the proposal, believes the thousands of businesses peddling the products are a detriment to the state. Owners and employees of those smoke and vape stores, on the other hand, are concerned about the loss of business, revenue and a fortune in tax dollars. More than 8,000 retailers in the state sell THC products, according to estimates. What's next The bill now goes to Governor Greg Abbott's desk for approval. If signed by the governor, the law would take effect in September. The bill does not put an end to Texas' Compassionate Use Program, which allows for medicinal marijuana for a limited number of conditions. House Bill 46 looked to expand those conditions. On Sunday night, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced he struck a deal with Rep. Tom Oliverson to include chronic pain as one of the conditions. Patients in hospice and with a terminal illness would also be included. The bill would also increase the number of licensed medical marijuana dispensers. The Source Information in this article comes from the Texas Legislature, statements made by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and analysis of Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 46.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls dispensary reacts to potential hemp ban
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — As bills continue to make their way through the Texas legislature, a couple of them may disrupt the THC industry in Texas. Senate Bill 3 would ban the Texas hemp industry. However, this bill doesn't affect the state's compassionate use program. Meanwhile, another bill looks to expand the program, which allows people with certain medical conditions to get THC products at lower doses than what is sold at most dispensaries. SB 3 was introduced to the Texas legislature and was aimed at regulating hemp THC products. However, a last-minute amendment in the House changed the proposed regulations to a total ban. The potential total ban leaves dispensaries in limbo. 'We have about four employees here, so pretty much their positions will be done,' Texas Cannabis Co. Owner Carlos Lopez said. 'We wouldn't be able to sustain the business with, you know, 90% of our inventory being illegal after September.' Lt. Governor Dan Patrick began his push for the ban in 2024.. He cited abuse of the agriculture law and the sale of high-THC products to minors. Lopez believes heavier regulation of cannabis products is a better avenue than a total ban, as his dispensary only sells to people 21 and older. 'Everybody that we dealt with, like here, the metroplex, like wholesale suppliers there, they were avoiding that just to keep from even having this problem.' Without ready access to hemp THC products, Lopez fears the lower dosages through the Texas Compassionate Use Program might not satisfy the needs of the consumer. 'If they can't get the compassionate use right away, like, you know, maybe they might go and put themselves in a risky situation where they're trying to get stuff off the black market,' Lopez said. Lopez hopes the revenue generated by the cannabis industry might be enough to sway lawmakers at the last minute. 'I don't know. We'll just see whenever we get there if it happens or maybe Greg Abbott steps in and vetoes it, and you know he realizes the economic implications of it,' Lopez said. 'That's the main part I'm worried about because we're really losing a lot of money.' Regardless of Abbott's decision, by May 28, Texas dispensaries will know the final outcome of SB 3. Last year, a similar bill in Florida was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis, and lawmakers instead chose to adopt more regulatory measures, which allow for the sale of hemp THC products statewide. Although the THC ban has passed the House, another bill, House Bill 46, looks to expand the Compassionate Use Program. It was originally intended to get low THC products to people with certain conditions, such as epilepsy. However, HB 46 would also make products available to people with conditions like chronic pain, glaucoma, or traumatic brain injuries. Honorably discharged veterans would also be included, with the state acknowledging that veterans may have particular treatment needs. The bill would also issue dispensing licenses to at least one location in each of the state's public health regions while providing the flexibility for each licensed location to establish satellite locations to cover more ground. As of publication, HB 46 has already passed in the House, and it is now awaiting a decision in the Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
