Texas bans THC
Texas Senate Approves SB 5: Comprehensive THC Ban Advances in Special Session
August 2025 — The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 5 (SB 5) with a 21–8 vote, reviving a previous vetoed effort to ban all hemp‑derived consumables containing any detectable THC except for CBD and CBG oil sold to adults aged 21+
⚖️ Key Details
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SB 5 Provisions: Criminalizes possession of hemp products with THC—even under 0.3% limits—imposing Class B misdemeanors (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine). Producers face felony charges for unlicensed operations and must meet steep licensing costs (~$10,000 per facility)
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Policy Divide: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spearheads prohibition, while Governor Greg Abbott advocates regulated access—proposing low‑THC limits (e.g. ≤ 3 mg THC per serving) and licensing, rather than draconian bans
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Competing Bills: Several Democratic lawmakers introduced alternatives—SB 54 (decriminalization plus regulation) and HB 195 (small adult-use allowances)—clashing with GOP hardline enforcement proposals
Impact: Texas’ Economy, Public Health & Enforcement
Economy & Industry
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The bill jeopardizes Texas’ multi‑billion-dollar hemp industry, with thousands of small vendors and farmers poised to lose livelihoods if high‑THC products are eliminated en.wikipedia.org+7The Texas Tribune+7MySA+7.
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Heightened licensing expenses and legal risks may drive many operators out of the market or underground.
Public Health & Criminal Justice
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Texans previously able to legally purchase low‑THC hemp may now face criminal penalties, increasing strains on courts and shifting law enforcement priorities Chroninsurancejournal.com.
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Banning regulated legal options could push consumers toward unregulated black-market alternatives, posing health and safety risks.
Texas is torn between two models:
ReplyDelete1. Prohibition model: SB 5’s sweeping ban seeks to eliminate intoxicating hemp products entirely, prioritizing deterrence and public safety.
2. Regulation model: Governor Abbott and moderate legislators propose targeted control—age limits, milligram caps, licensing, labeling—as a balanced approach that sustains businesses and consumer access.
SB 5’s passage in the Senate marks a pivotal moment. Should it become law, Texas may dial back the liberalization of hemp and THC products that began with the 2019 industrial hemp legalization. Its economic and social consequences could ripple beyond state lines, challenging broader cannabis policy shifts.