AUSTIN, Texas (KTRK) — Despite Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s veto, lawmakers continue to push to ban THC.
A day after the special session started, the Senate held the first committee hearing. The first topic in the state affairs committee was over THC legislation.
A debate some lawmakers can’t wait to see play out.
“That’s big boy fight,” State Sen. Borris Miles (D – Houston) explained. “I’ll be sitting back and watching it and eating popcorn and watching how it comes out.”
During the regular session, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick pushed for a THC ban. Lawmakers sent the governor a bill doing just that.
Instead, Abbott vetoed it, and sent lawmakers back to Austin for a special session to work on Legislation. Instead of regulation, the Senate is trying to ban it once again.
“We’ve literally allowed an industry to spring up beneath our feet screaming it’s legal, when it’s not,” State Sen. Charles Perry (R – Lubbock) said. “Some have bought into that narrative.”
While testimony was underway for the latest THC ban bill, Abbott’s office released a statement, where he once again pushed for regulation over a total ban.
In a statement from Abbott’s press secretary Andrew Mahaleris:
“Governor Abbott has been clear that Texas must do all we can to protect the lives of children while protecting the liberty of adults. Hemp products should be banned for those under the age of 21, with a full ban on extraordinarily dangerous synthetic products. Adults should be able to access heavily regulated, nonintoxicating levels of hemp, and there should be strict legal enforcement of hemp that exceeds 3.0 milligrams total THC per serving. The Governor will continue working with the legislature to establish a framework that meets those goals.”
The Tuesday hearing on S.B. 5 lasted more than six hours. Lawmakers heard from law enforcement who told them regulation isn’t enough.
“It would take decades in our opinion, and millions and millions of dollars to hire and train agents to understand chemistry, potency threshold, lab testing, and labeling compliance,” Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association said.
Medical experts also testified to the impacts the substance has on young adults. “We know use of these substances during adolescence can have long-term impacts on learning, memory, and IQ,” Dr. Lindy McGee of Texas Medical Association said.
Industry experts argue a total ban could have devastating economic impacts. The Texas Hemp Business Council said the industry generates $5.5 billion and employs 53,000 statewide.
Some of those workers addressed lawmakers during the hearing. “We have over 400 employees that we employ,” one industry worker said. “It will lead to layoffs that will lead to several of our locations, if not the majority of them closing down.”
Another witness told lawmakers she uses the products for medical reasons, and worries what would happen if they’re banned. “Banning hemp will only push me to the black market, thus making my use not just dangerous but also with severe criminal consequences,” she explained.
While the Senate held a hearing on THC legislation, there’s nothing scheduled in the House. If lawmakers are going to push for another ban, we asked political experts why don’t they just override the governor’s veto.
They say the state’s constitution doesn’t allow it. Experts say they’re only able to do so during a regular session.
Since this is a special session, that’s not an option.
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