Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick introduced new laws Thursday that may ban the sale of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) all through the state.
Senate Invoice 3, if handed, will override a 2019 Texas regulation that allows the commercialization of hemp merchandise with small doses of nonintoxicating Delta 9 THC to advertise the state’s agriculture trade.
“Dangerously, retailers exploited the agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and made them easily accessible,” Patrick launched in an announcement. “These shops not solely bought to adults, however they focused Texas youngsters and uncovered them to harmful ranges of THC.”
“Since 2023, 1000’s of shops promoting hazardous THC merchandise have popped up in communities throughout the state, and lots of promote merchandise, together with drinks, which have three to 4 instances the THC content material which is likely to be present in marijuana bought from a drug vendor,” he added.
Marijuana, which is presently outlawed within the state for leisure use, sometimes comprises 10 % to 30 % THC — the chemical ingredient mostly related to a buzz. The regulation does allow utilization of low-THC hashish merchandise if preapproved for medical causes.
Patrick stated he believes standing legal guidelines enable for loopholes for retailers to promote stronger merchandise.
“We are not going to allow these retailers to circumvent the law and put Texans’ lives in danger,” he stated within the assertion.
“This invoice may have broad bipartisan assist within the Senate, and I belief the Home will even see the hazard of those merchandise and go this invoice with overwhelming assist so it will possibly turn into regulation instantly,” the lieutenant governor added.
Texas Legal professional Common Ken Paxton has additionally made strides to crack down on THC utilization within the Lone Star State by suing town of Dallas for introducing a poll measure that may stop police from arresting or issuing citations for hashish possession or contemplating the odor of marijuana as possible trigger for search or seizure.
“Cities can not choose and select which State legal guidelines they observe,” Paxton said in a statement last month. “The Metropolis of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug legal guidelines or prohibit the police from implementing them.”
“This can be a backdoor try to violate the Texas Structure, and any metropolis that tries to constrain police on this style will likely be met swiftly with a lawsuit by my workplace,” he added.
