Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced he intends to ban all THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, in the next legislative session. That announcement is having a chilling effect on hemp stores carrying CBD and THC products, which have been selling them legally in Texas since 2019.
I talked to the owner of MaryJae today, whose store is just one of many in Austin. She told me she opened her store after she was able to relieve some of her father’s pain and suffering from cancer.
In 2019, the legislature passed House Bill 1325, which allowed for the commercialization of hemp, which included trace amounts of THC. I covered some of the debate five years ago and at the time– THC was a controversial flashpoint, but it ultimately passed.
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This week, Dan Patrick sent out a press release saying retailers exploited the law to sell what he called “life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and made them easily accessible.”
“It would be devastating if Texas went backward and you took THC from us because there are so many people from all walks of life, all ages, all races that come in and they benefit. We’ve been here seven years I’ve seen from day one to now. It’s beautiful. They’re not on pain medication, they’re not depressed,” said Jae Graham, owner of MaryJae.
Patrick says the bill to ban THC will be Senate Bill 3.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, marijuana use is on the rise and is most prevalent among people between 18 and 25
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announces he intends to ban all THC – the psychoactive chemical in marijuana – in the next legislative session. That announcemen Read More
