Texas’ Republican Governor has vetoed legislation that would have prohibited hemp-based products that contained any trace of THC. Advocates and stakeholders claim that the bill would have destroyed a growing business in Texas.
Gov. Greg Abbott, (R), rejected SB 3 on Sunday from Senator Charles Perry.
After weeks of uncertainty, the Lt. Governor championed the bill. Dan Patrick (R)—with Abbott repeatedly declining to comment after being asked by reporters and saying he was overwhelmed with measures to review and hadn’t gotten to the hemp proposal at the time.
Hemp activists and stakeholders have delivered more than 100 000 petition signatures calling on Abbott to veto his measure. Critics of the bill argued that the industry—which employs an estimated 53,000 people—would be decimated if the measure became law.
Texas lawmakers approved the sale of hemp-based products in 2019. This was after the Farm Bill 2018 passed by the federal government, which had legalized this plant across the country. That’s led to an explosion of products—including edibles, drinks, vape products and cured flower—sold by an estimated 8,000 retailers.
Military veterans advocates, including Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars, have also called on the governor to veto the hemp ban, saying it “would cause irreversible harm to communities across the state.”
Farmers have also said the prohibition would devastate a key sector of the state’s agriculture industry.
Patrick, the lieutenant-governor, criticised Abbott’s decision.
He said that his late-night decision to veto a bill supported by 105 out of 108 Republicans, as well as many medical professionals and educators, left the people who had lost loved ones because of these dangerous drugs feeling abandonment. “I’m especially sorry for those who spoke up and expressed their sorrows.”
Heather Fazio is the director of Texas Cannabis Policy Center. She applauded Governor Abbott’s decision.
She said, in a statement released on Sunday: “We thank Governor Abbott for listening and understanding the concerns of the people of Texas. We also appreciate that he recognized regulation as a more effective way to protect public health.” “This is an important victory for the freedom of markets and liberty.”
Disclosure: Fazio is a Patreon supporter of MEDCAN24.
Abbott also announced on Sunday that a special legislative session would begin on 21st July. In a release, he said SB 3 as well as other bills vetoed by the governor will be put on the agenda to further consider.
A recent poll conducted by a GOP-affiliated pollster showed that Texas Democratic voters and Republican supporters are united in opposing the hemp bill.
A new poll commissioned by the Texas Hemp Business Council found that Texas Republican voters are opposed to the plan.
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Abbott separately signed a bill into law this month to create a state-backed research consortium to conduct clinical trials on ibogaine as a possible treatment for substance use disorders and other mental health conditions. The project’s goal is the development of a prescription drug that has FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval. A portion of profit will be retained by the state.
On Saturday the Governor signed legislation to expand the medical marijuana program in the State with additional qualifying conditions, product forms and dispensary locations.
In addition to chronic pain and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), Crohn’s disease, other inflammatory bowel conditions, as well as end-of life patients under palliative, hospice, or similar care, marijuana is now allowed.
Separately in Texas, a House committee approved a Senate-passed bill last month that would prohibit cities from putting any citizen initiative on local ballots that would decriminalize marijuana or other controlled substances—as several localities have already done despite lawsuits from the state attorney general.
Under the proposal, state law would be amended to say that local entities “may not place an item on a ballot, including a municipal charter or charter amendment, that would provide that the local entity will not fully enforce” state drug laws.
While several courts have previously upheld local cannabis decriminalization laws, an appellate court comprised of three conservative justices appointed by the governor has recently pushed back against two of those rulings, siding with the state in its legal challenge to the marijuana policy in Austin and San Marcos.
Despite the ongoing litigation and advancement of the House and Senate bills, Texas activists have their targets set on yet another city, Kyle, where they hope put an initiative before voters to enact local marijuana reform at the ballot this coming November.
A recent poll found that four in five Texas voters want to see marijuana legalized in some form, and most also want to see regulations around cannabis relaxed.
In the face of competing priorities, GOP Marijuana Banking Bill sponsor says he won’t be advancing it until fall.
AnonMoos.com is the source of this image element.
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