Latest news with #THCban
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Hemp industry among those urging Gov. Greg Abbott to veto bill that bans THC products in Texas
On the final day of the Texas legislative session, the hemp industry, veterans, and other advocates urged Gov. Greg Abbott to veto Senate Bill 3, which would ban THC products in the state. The legislation, a top priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. AUSTIN, TEXAS - JUNE 08: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in the state Capitol on June 08, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Abbott and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw joined bill authors, sponsors, legislators and law enforcement members in the signing of bills aimed at enhancing southern border security. BRANDON BELL / Getty Images As of Monday, Abbott had not indicated whether he would sign or veto the bill. Opponents deliver 100,000 letters Opponents gathered at the Capitol Monday morning, delivering boxes they said contained 100,000 letters urging the governor to reject the measure. Veterans, Democrats, and some conservatives held a news conference to voice their opposition, arguing that the bill would harm Texans who rely on hemp-derived products for relief from pain and other conditions. Under SB 3, retailers would be limited to selling only non-intoxicating cannabinoids, such as CBD and CBG. Supporters cite public health risks CBS News Texas Supporters of the bill, including Patrick, argue it is necessary to protect public health. At a news conference last week, Patrick displayed several products that would be banned under the legislation, which is set to take effect Sept. 1 if signed into law. Aubree Adams, founder of Safe and Healthy Texas, spoke at a separate news conference Monday afternoon in support of the bill. "This bill is a collection bill to get rid of the poison that is synthetic THC," Adams said. "This drug operation is an all-out assault on Texas families and schools." Social media voices opposition Meanwhile, social media users have joined the debate. One man, identified as Johnny Lyon, posted on X: "I use the hemp products successfully. I want you to veto SB 3 because my wife and I like these products. They help with arthritis and help with other aches and pains." Medical marijuana program expands In a related development, lawmakers also passed a bill expanding the state's medical marijuana program, increasing the number of dispensaries and qualifying conditions. Watch Eye on Politics at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS News Texas, on air and streaming. Follow Jack on X: @cbs11jack
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Out Of Touch Or On A Mission? Patrick's Anti-THC Rant
In a press conference held this week, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick continued to staunchly defend Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), legislation aimed at banning all consumable THC products in the state. Patrick spoke to a room full of reporters about the bill's intent to protect the overall health of Texans, particularly for minors in the Lone Star State, by cutting all access to THC products that have continued to grow in popularity since the state-wide legalization of hemp in 2019. On a city-wide level, as previously covered by The Dallas Express, Dallas voters passed Proposition R in November of last year, making possession of under 4 ounces of marijuana the 'lowest priority' for local law enforcement. However, both efforts have continued to receive pushback from Patrick and other leaders like Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton's office has even sued a handful of municipalities for approving the relaxed laws on marijuana enforcement. 'This unconstitutional action by municipalities demonstrates why Texas must have a law to 'follow the law.' It's quite simple: the legislature passes every law after a full debate on the issues, and we don't allow cities the ability to create anarchy by picking and choosing the laws they enforce,' Paxton said in a press release published last year. SB 3, which has passed both legislative chambers, now seeks to ban all forms of THC, including Delta-8 and Delta-9 variants, currently sold regularly in gas stations and 'smoke shops,' while exempting 'non-intoxicating' cannabinoids like CBD and CBG. However, some details surrounding the bill seem to remain a bit cloudy. The bill will also allegedly allow for the state to maintain and continue running its Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Program, allowing limited medical use of low-THC cannabis products. However, Patrick has not yet clarified if the bill will impact the application process for the program. Critics argue that the ban could have significant economic repercussions, as previously reported by The Dallas Express, potentially dismantling Texas's $8 billion hemp industry and cutting off nearly 50,000 jobs. 'If this ban is passed, it would criminalize both consumers as well as sellers/distributors. Businesses in Texas would have to stop selling these products altogether, which would likely result in a lot of businesses closing up shop altogether,' Ben Michael, an attorney at Michael & Associates, previously told DX. 'This would also likely mean that larger companies based in other states would be limited with where or who they could sell to, leading to potential legal battles. Consumers in Texas could also face fines or charges for buying these products, even if they are for medical purposes, because it seems as though the ban essentially has no exceptions,' Michael added. Yet, Patrick seems deadset on pushing the ban forward. 'We cannot in good conscience leave Austin without banning THC, which is harming our children, and destroying Texans' lives and families,' The Texas Lieutenant General declared via X. Governor Greg Abbott has yet to say whether he will sign SB 3 into law. If enacted, the ban will take effect in September of this year.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Veterans lobby Governor Abbott on THC Ban as SB3 awaits signature
The Brief Governor Greg Abbott has yet to announce if he will sign or veto Senate Bill 3, which bans THC products. Veterans are lobbying the Governor to veto SB3, arguing that hemp-derived products are a positive alternative to opioids and alcohol. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick supports the ban, stating it's crucial for protecting children and expanding the Texas Compassionate Use Program as an alternative. Governor Abbott declined to say whether he'll sign Senate Bill 3 into law, banning THC products. The legislature sent the bill to the governor's desk, but some veterans are putting pressure on the governor to veto it. The Texas Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) says it has a meeting with Governor Greg Abbott's team tomorrow to talk about why the veteran organization wants him to veto SB3. During a news conference today, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and other lawmakers stressed that with the passing of SB3, they are expanding the Texas Compassionate Use Program as another option. The VFW said that's not enough. The fight is not over, as veterans are now lobbying for the governor to veto the bill. What they're saying The national and state legislative chairman for the Texas VFW, Mitch Fuller, says veterans testified in front of lawmakers about how these products have been a positive alternative to opioids and alcohol. "A blanket ban here is going to be pretty devastating to our community," said Fuller. "One of the points we've made is that a lot of us choose hemp-derived consumables because they're more affordable, accessible, and effective in many cases." Fuller says the VFW was happy to see the program expanded, but they want both options. Fuller has a meeting set up with the governor's team on Thursday. All he wants is for them to hear him out. "This is about letting veterans choose what works best for them," said Fuller. "We're combat veterans, we've been hit, we've been in rough environments, we've been knocked down, but we're not going to quit fighting." Senate bill three was a priority of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. During a news conference on Wednesday, Patrick emphasized the importance of the bill and demonstrated it with products that he says contain THC. "Nothing is more important than keeping a kid from getting a hold of this junk!" Patrick, along with other lawmakers, acknowledged that there are some helpful products and another bill was passed to expand the Texas Compassionate Use program, which provides medical marijuana in limited situations. Since the bill passed through both the senate and house, it has moved to the governor's desk. A spokesperson for Governor Abbott told FOX 4 on Wednesday, "Governor Abbott will thoughtfully review any legislation sent to his desk." Patrick says he's not worried. "I pass bills, the governor either signs or vetoes them. I know the governor, I know where his heart is, and I know where he wants to be to protect children and adults." What's next Governor Abbott has 10 days to act after the end of the session. He can sign it, let it go into law without his signature, or veto it. The Source Information in this article was provided by the Texas Legislature and interviews conducted by FOX 4's Amelia Jones with the Texas VFW chairman.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Bill banning THC sales passes in Texas House
A bill banning THC passed in the Texas House late Wednesday night. In a 95-44 vote, Senate Bill 3 passed in the House, banning all THC products. Adults would face up to a year in jail for possessing any THC product. THC is an $8 billion industry in Texas; Critics have said that many local businesses will be impacted by the ban. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who championed the bill, thanked lawmakers for passing the bill and said it's about protecting kids and adults. What does the THC ban include? SB 3, authored by Sen. Charles Perry, bans Delta 8, Delta 9 and all other forms of intoxicating THC, including beverages. It also prohibits the retail sale of any cannabinoid in the state, with the exception of CBD and CBG. Patrick has previously said the bill does not affect Texas' Compassionate Use Program. Over the past decade, thousands of CBD shops have opened across Texas, selling cannabis products with varying levels of THC, which has a psychoactive effect. When federal (The Hemp Farming Act of 2018) and state (House Bill 1325 in 2019) laws legalized hemp with agricultural uses in mind, they differentiated it from illegal forms of cannabis by defining it as having 0.3% "delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol" or less. The laws didn't explicitly cap other forms of THC, like delta-8 and delta-10, which aren't naturally found in large quantities. Cannabis companies jumped on the loophole, providing Texas retailers with products containing the alternative THC compounds. "Since 2019, retailers across Texas have exploited a state agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of Tetrahydrocannabinol to Texans, including children," Patrick said in a statement. "These stores which often target children with their marketing, have popped up across the state, threatening the safety of our communities. Today, the Texas Senate drew a line in the sand and passed SB 3 to ban all forms of intoxicating THC." "Texans don't want this" In March, hundreds visited the Capitol to hear arguments over the proposed ban with more than 170 people signing up to speak. "Texans don't want this," said John Burk, the owner of Shell Shock CBD in Richardson, who was in Austin to testify. "Let us be. Let combat veterans be. If we want to have a blunt, it's no different than having an old-fashioned [drink] and kicking back." Burk previously told CBS News Texas that veterans like himself use THC rather than more addictive opioids and that a ban on THC is not a true reflection of what the public wants. and contributed to this report.
