AUSTIN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 3, a measure banning the sale of all intoxicating THC products including Delta 8, Delta 9, and THC-infused beverages.
The bill, spearheaded by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), preserves Texas’ Compassionate Use Program for medical cannabis but aims to eliminate what Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick calls a dangerous loophole.
“Since 2019, retailers across Texas have exploited a state agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to Texans, including children,” Lt. Gov. Patrick announced. “These stores, which often target children with their marketing, have popped up across the state, threatening the safety of our communities.”
Lt. Gov. Patrick recently visited several THC retailers and claimed many are selling high-potency products without proper oversight.
“Recently, I visited several of these smoke shops to see what they’re selling. All said, they weren’t selling to kids. But a lot of other people have a different opinion,” said Lt. Gov. Patrick. “I know a lot of calls from our parents say kids are being able to buy this— stronger than weed they buy from a drug dealer on the corner.”
Texas THC debate heats up ahead of legislative session, supporters defend benefits, oppose ban
Industry pushback
Cynthia Cabrera, chief strategy officer for Texas-based cannabis company Hometown Hero and member of the Texas Hemp Business Council, criticized the bill, arguing it unfairly targets legal businesses.
“It is a total ban rather than addressing the items that they claim are an issue,” Cabrera explained. “For example, they say these are unregulated products. They were regulated by the Texas Legislature in 2019.”
Cabrera noted that THC retailers are required to test products, include QR codes linking to lab results, and comply with state inspections. She also pushed back against claims that minors are purchasing THC products, stating how industry leaders tried to pass an age restriction bill in 2023 but received “zero traction from these same legislators.”
Instead of a full ban, Cabrera said the industry supports additional regulations, including “an age gate of 21 and over, with an exception for Veterans between 18 and 21,” as well as requiring child-resistant packaging and setbacks from schools— similar to alcohol regulations.
Bryan CBD, Delta-8 shop voices concern over THC ban bill
Economic impact
Business owners warn SB 3 would have far-reaching economic consequences, wiping out an entire industry and thousands of jobs.
“If 50,000 people file for unemployment, even at the lowest rate possible, the state would be paying out close to half a billion dollars,” warned Cabrera. “They would lose $264 million in sales tax… That’s just the cost to the state, not counting people defaulting on leases and real estate and cars and mortgages and not being able to pay to keep their kids in school. The ripple effects are massive.”
Kloie Lawson, store manager at CBD Pros in College Station, expressed concern for both employees and customers.
“Our employees are worried about job security,” Lawson revealed. “But we’re also concerned about our customers— thousands of Texans who rely on these products for chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep issues.”
Kloie Lawson store manager at CBD Pros in College Station(KBTX)
CBD Pros and other industry leaders argue SB 3 punishes legitimate businesses while failing to address black market sales.
“We don’t market to children. We use child-resistant packaging, and we check IDs every time someone walks in,” Lawson said. “If lawmakers are concerned about certain products, they should regulate—not ban.”
Critics of the bill argue the state has more significant issues to address.
“Texas is the number one state for alcohol-related driving fatalities, Texas has a huge fentanyl problem, Texas has a backlog on rape kits, Texas has a water issue, Texas has an energy grid crisis,” listed Cabrera. “This is not an emergency. This is not a crisis. Those things, those are real crises that affect citizens in the state.”
What’s next?
The bill now heads to the Texas House for consideration. Cabrera and other industry leaders are calling on lawmakers to revise the legislation to include industry-backed safeguards rather than a complete ban.
“I don’t think anybody on the House wants to put an entire industry out of business for no good reason,” Cabrera added. “There is no emergency.”
Industry advocates are urging Texans to contact their legislators to voice opposition to the bill. More information is available through the Texas Hemp Business Council.
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