A coalition of Texans is gearing up for a press conference in Austin this Monday to voice their concerns regarding a potentially impending ban on THC products in the state.
Expected to deliver over 100,000 petition signatures and thousands of letters to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, the group includes farmers, veterans, small business owners, and advocates for hemp.
The press conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Texas Capitol, where speakers aim to persuade Abbott to veto SB 3, legislation that would prohibit legal THC consumables in Texas.
According to a press release from the Texas Hemp Business Council, the coalition is alarmed by the potential dismantling of a $4.3 billion industry that currently supports 53,000 jobs across the state.
They further express concern that banning these products could lead to an influx of unregulated and unsafe items in the market.
The Texas Hemp Business Council’s statement includes a call to action, emphasizing that thousands of Texans rely on the hemp industry for jobs, economic opportunities, and their right to choose hemp-derived products.
SB 3 has garnered significant attention, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick promoting the bill throughout the legislative session.
Patrick has described the THC consumable products as “poison,” a characterization that has sparked backlash from small business owners who argue that misinformation about the content of THC products has been widely spread.
Small business owners are at the forefront of opposing this legislation, as they are part of an industry encompassing over 8,000 businesses in Texas.
Many fear that if SB 3 is signed into law, it will lead to the collapse of their businesses.
Veterans are also prominent voices in this movement, advocating that THC has proven to be a beneficial alternative to more harmful substances like alcohol, opioids, and prescription medications.
They express worry that banning THC products could drive individuals, particularly those suffering from PTSD and other serious ailments, back to destructive habits.
The ongoing debate has historical implications, as the legality of THC products in Texas emerged from an accidental loophole in legislation passed in 2019 aimed at expanding the hemp industry.
Farmers are specifically concerned about the potential closure of this loophole and its disastrous effects on their profits and livelihoods, which have been dependent on the booming THC market over the past six years.
While SB 3 poses a significant threat to the accessibility of THC, medical marijuana use remains available to a select few through the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), established in 2015.
This program allows individuals with specific conditions to access medical marijuana.
This session, House Bill 46 sought to expand TCUP’s eligibility to include honorably discharged veterans and those with conditions like chronic pain, glaucoma, traumatic brain injury, and several others.
However, the recent Senate amendment aimed at cutting several conditions from the expansion proposals has sparked outrage among Texas Representatives, with many taking to social media to express their discontent.
Despite the proposed changes, Rep. Tim Oliverson and Patrick reportedly reached an agreement on the bill over the weekend.
As for Gov. Abbott, he has not publicly indicated whether he will sign SB 3 into law.
The legislation is currently on his desk, and while he has been vocal about signing other bills, the THC ban has not received similar attention amid the pressure from both supporters and opponents of the legislation.
Abbott has three options: he can sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to sit on his desk for 10 days, after which it will automatically pass without his direct approval, becoming effective on September 1.
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