Texans, in increasing numbers, are urging Governor Gregg Abbott not to sign Senate Bill 3 because its opponents say it will destroy Texas hemp. There are only a couple of hours left to make a decision.
Senate Bill 3 passed with bipartisan support in Texas in May. This bill will ban the use of all cannabinoids, including THC (which is intoxicating), derived in any form from hemp. Since that time, the bill has been sitting on the Governor’s desk for his signoff, veto or it coming into effect without his signature – and today is the big day where a decision one way or another is made.
A petition was circulated among the protests against its potential green light. Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) has received a lot of attention, and many signatures. According to THBC as of 21st June, it reached 153 484 signatures. The organisation also delivered thousands of handwritten notes to the Governor’s Office earlier in the month. Plus, 800 additional letters were delivered last week.
S.B. 3 via email, letter, petitions and social media. Mark Bordas, Executive Director of THBC, said that Texans have voiced their opposition to S.B. The Texas people do not support S.B. 3. This bill has a low level of support even among Republican primary vote voters. These are the voters that will shape Texas’ future politics.
THBC claimed that SB3 would result in the loss of $4.3 billion annually in state revenue, 53,000 jobs and an influx of unsafe and unregulated products into Texas.
Bordas said that if we were to ban anything harmful, it would be alcohol. It is the third most preventable cause for death in America. Or tobacco which kills over 480,000 Americans every year.
Mr. Bordas says powerful lobbyists linked to legal marijuana monopolies and ‘Big Alcohol’ are behind the push to criminalize the state’s hemp industry.
“Texans are not in favor of prohibition.” He said that they want freedom, fairness and safe choices.
Abbott has not indicated his decision on SB3 until last week. He said that he was evaluating and looking at the concerns raised by both sides.
THBC’s petition says in part:
SB 3 will deny Texans natural options for the treatment of chronic pain, sleep disorders, and anxiety in all parts of Texas. The Texas hemp industry is also threatened by a ban on the production of hemp.
This is the full text of a petition can be viewed here.
In a similar vein, a new poll According to the poll, 61% of Texans are against the ban on THC and 70% agree that THC products must remain legal with age restrictions (warning labels)