Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced a new law The sale of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will be banned across the state on Thursday.
If passed, Senate Bill 3 would repeal a 2019 Texas law that allowed the commercialization of hemp products containing small amounts of non-intoxicating delta-9 THC to boost the state's agriculture industry.
“Dangerously, retailers have exploited the Farm Bill to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and make them readily available,” Patrick said in a statement. “In addition to selling to adults, these stores were targeting Texas children and exposing them to dangerous levels of THC.”
“Since 2023, thousands of stores have sprung up selling harmful THC products to communities across the state, many with 3-4% THC content that can be found in marijuana purchased from drug dealers. “They sell products containing beverages that contain double the THC content,” he added.
Marijuana, which is currently prohibited for recreational use in the state, typically contains 10 percent to 30 percent THC, the chemical component most commonly associated with the topic. The law allows the use of low-THC cannabis products with prior approval for medical reasons.
Patrick said he believes the current law allows loopholes for retailers to sell stronger products.
“We will not allow these retailers to circumvent the law and endanger the lives of Texans,” he said in a statement.
“We believe this bill will have broad bipartisan support in the Senate, and the House recognizes the dangers of these products and will pass this bill with overwhelming support and become law immediately.” added the lieutenant governor.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also sued the city of Dallas for introducing a ballot measure that would prevent police from making arrests and citations for marijuana possession, or from labeling the odor of marijuana dangerous, and is threatening the use of THC in the Lone Star State. Progress has been made in crackdown. Probable cause for search or seizure.
“Cities don't get to choose which state laws they follow,” Paxton said. stated in a statement last month. “The City of Dallas does not have the authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit police enforcement from drug enforcement.”
“This is a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution, and any city that attempts to restrain its police officers in this manner will be subject to immediate legal action by my office,” he added.
