Editor's Note: The video above is from a May 4 newscast.
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Tuesday, the Texas House was set to discuss an amended version of Senate Bill 3, which increases regulations on the consumable hemp industry and outlaws synthetic cannabinoids. The bill was significantly altered from the Texas Senate version to completely ban consumable hemp with THC, a bill which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he's willing to go to a special session to complete.
On Monday afternoon, State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Tomball, authored an amendment to reinstate most of the House's changes to SB 3 amidst pressure from Patrick on social media to completely ban all forms of THC.
"As a board-certified anesthesiologist trained in chronic pain, I’ve seen the quiet suffering of Texans who are desperate for safe, effective relief," Oliverson said on social media. "Texas patients need real medicine, not unregulated hemp THC products sold at gas stations. These products pose serious risks, including overdose and psychosis."
As SB 3 was set to be heard on Tuesday, State Affairs Chair Ken King, R-Canadian, motioned to delay his bill until 3 p.m. Once it was brought up again, he delayed until 6 p.m. However, the House adjourned a little after 4:30 p.m., pushing discussion on SB 3 to Wednesday.
House Changes to Senate Bill 3
The Senate's version of SB 3, which passed 27-4, is 18 pages long. The version the House State Affairs committee came up with is 140 pages, nearly eight times the length.
During the State Affairs Committee meeting, King explained how the new version would allow regulated sale of some hemp products that contain below 0.3% THC.
“It allows for some hemp sales to be continued. It bans vapes. It bans vape shops. It bans all synthetics. Delta-9, the natural flower that’s grown and sold in Texas, would remain,” King said.
In addition to synthetics being banned, the bill would prohibit consumable low-level THC hemp from being packaged as chips, candy, chewing gum or "other products attractive to minors," and bans all artificial products unless expressly allowed. Tinctures would be allowed to have 2.5 milligrams of THC per each milliliter serving and up to 75 milligrams of THC in a container. Other products would be allowed 10 milligrams of THC per serving, with up to a gram of THC allowed in a container.
Raw hemp flower would also be allowed under the House's version, as long as it contained less than 0.3% THC by weight. The bill also opens up opportunities for a larger low-level THC-based drink market, including regulated THC drinks sold on-premises (brewpubs, etc.).
If a person knowingly or intentionally possesses products banned under this bill, they would be committing a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine.
The bill requires licenses for any producer, tester or seller of the low-level (
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