Nearly 10 hours of public testimony, most of which opposed a proposed THC ban in the state, did not deter lawmakers in the Texas Senate from passing Senate Bill 3. Now, it’s heading to the Texas House for yet another public hearing.
The bill that seeks to dismantle the hemp industry as Texans have come to know it will be heard by a Texas House committee on Monday, April 7. Here’s what that means for the future of hemp in the Lone Star State.
A public hearing on SB 3 and House Bill 28 is scheduled for April 7 at 8 a.m. with the Texas House Committee on State Affairs. The hearing will take place in room 120 inside the John H. Reagan State Office Building, 1400 Congress Ave., Austin. At the time of publishing, these are the only two items on the committee’s April 7 agenda. However, there’s a chance the House will add items leading up to the hearing.
SB 3 looks to ban all forms of THC and will make possessing products that are currently legal, such as THC drinks and hemp gummies with trace amounts of THC, a misdemeanor offense. Stores selling delta-9 gummies and THCa flower could face felony charges if SB 3 is passed by the Texas House. HB 28, on the other hand, aims to increase regulations for the state’s consumable hemp program that started in 2020.
Unlike SB 3, HB 28, filed by state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, would not ban all forms of THC. Instead, it would allow the sale of hemp products with cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), or delta-9 THC for those ages 21 and older. The bill maintains the existing 0.3% delta-9 THC limit for consumable hemp products. The bill also regulates the amount of THC per serving, stating consumable hemp products cannot exceed 10 mg of THC per serving.
HB 28 also sets criminal penalties. For instance, running a hemp manufacturing or retail business without a permit would be a felony, and selling unregistered products would be a misdemeanor offense. The bill also prohibits marketing consumable hemp products to minors.
What will happen at the April 7 public hearing for THC bans, hemp regulations?
Public hearings, such as the one scheduled for April 7 on SB 3 and HB 28 with the Texas House Committee on State Affairs, are pretty self-explanatory. These hearings give members of the public and businesses who will be impacted by proposed legislation a chance to speak on the record for or against certain bills.
In other words, the public hearing set for April 7 will allow Texas residents a chance to speak directly to lawmakers about why they do or don’t support THC bans and increased regulations for consumable hemp products like THC drinks, vapes and gummies.
Each person who signs up to submit oral testimony during the April 7 hearing will likely have up to two minutes to share their views on the proposed hemp bills. If this hearing is anything like the March 3 hearing with the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs, it’s sure to be a lengthy one.
After the hearing, the Texas House Committee on State Affairs will vote on whether SB 3 and/or HB 28 should be heard by the full chamber. The committee can recommend passage of the bill without amendments, or it can recommend certain amendments be made. The committee can also substitute a new bill in place of the original bill, per the Texas Legislative Council.
The committee can also leave the bills pending, or members can submit an unfavorable report, which typically kills the bill.
How to testify at Texas House hearing on THC bans, hemp regulations
To testify at the April 7 hearing with the Texas House committee on State Affairs, you’ll need to register as a witness. This can be done at one of the kiosks in the Texas Capitol or via a personal mobile device or tablet when you arrive on the Capitol grounds and connect to the Public-Capitol Wi-Fi network. To find out more about registering, head to the Texas House’s website.
Since the hearing will take place in the John H. Reagan Building, it’s important to note that public access is available only through the north and south entrances.
According to the notice, the public hearing on SB 3 and HB 28 will be livestreamed. The video can be found here once the hearing starts around 8 a.m. on April 7.
The Texas House is holding a public hearing on two bills that could alter the state’s hemp industry on Monday, April 7. Here’s what that means and how to have your voice heard. Read More
