Texas Senate Committee discusses statewide ban on THC products

The Texas Senate is considering Senate Bill 3, which proposes a ban on all consumable THC products, including Delta 8 and Delta 9 gummies and edibles, in response to the 2019 hemp legalization that allowed such products to proliferate. Proponents of the bill, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, argue that it addresses the sale of unregulated and potentially dangerous products, which have increased emergency room visits and pediatric poisonings. Opponents, including retailers, fear that the ban would dismantle a significant revenue source and drive consumers to illegal markets. The bill would impose penalties of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine for possession, with harsher penalties for manufacturers. Some business owners advocate for regulation rather than prohibition, suggesting that a controlled market ensures product safety. The Senate committee is set to debate the bill, which must pass through the legislative process before being enacted.