Texas Special Session: Ban on hemp-derived THC passes Senate; heads to House

The Texas Senate passed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest hemp-derived THC ban — SB 5 — in a 21-8 third reading vote, sending it to the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Sen. Charles Perry (R), the new bill is almost the same as SB 3, which Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed.

SB 5’s House companion bill, HB 5, could be scheduled for a committee hearing this week, most likely with very little notice. 

If you live in Texas, use this link to tell your state rep. that regulation is a better approach than prohibition!

Please also thank Gov. Abbott for vetoing SB 3 and calling for regulation. If you benefit from hemp-derived cannabinoids, share your story.

Meanwhile, many Democratic House members have left the state to deny the House the needed quorum to conduct official business. In 2021, a similar tactic kept the House from conducting business for 31 days. This is being done in response to another piece of legislation, not the regulation of hemp-derived products.

The special session has under two weeks left in its mandated time frame. If the session expires without further work, another special session could be called.

Banning hemp-derived products will disrupt a multi-billion-dollar business that employs over 50,000 Texans. A ban will move a vast majority of consumers to the illicit market. SB 5 and HB 5 are a bad policy that will negatively impact tens of thousands of Texans who find affordable relief from hemp-derived products.