Delta-8 and Texas Medical Marijuana Industries Face Off in Upcoming Legislative Session
The Texas medical marijuana industry is facing a crisis, with a growing number of patients turning to unregulated hemp products like delta-8 instead of the state’s Compassionate Use Program. The program, which was established in 2015, has strict rules on who is eligible, what products can be sold, and where they can be stored, limiting its impact.
Meanwhile, the hemp industry is booming, with over 7,000 registered consumable hemp retail spots across the state. Delta-8, a type of THC that is legal in Texas, is being sold in a variety of forms, including gummies, candies, drinks, and smokeables. While some argue that delta-8 is a safer alternative to marijuana, others warn of its negative health impacts.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has attempted to ban delta-8, but a lawsuit has blocked the move. The state’s Supreme Court is currently considering the case.
Medical marijuana users are speaking out about the challenges they face in accessing the program. Jack Stinnett, a 60-year-old man who was diagnosed with tongue and mouth cancer, credits medical marijuana with helping him manage his nerve pain. However, he says that the program’s strict rules and limited availability make it difficult for patients to access the medicine they need.
The Texas Legislature is expected to take up the issue of delta-8 and hemp products in the upcoming session. Some lawmakers are pushing for a ban on delta-8, while others are advocating for regulations that would allow for the safe and responsible sale of the products.
The medical marijuana industry is also pushing for changes to the Compassionate Use Program, including reducing the cost of operating a dispensary and expanding the number of conditions that qualify for compassionate use. Industry leaders argue that the program is too restrictive and that patients are being driven to seek out unregulated hemp products instead.
The showdown between the medical marijuana and hemp industries is expected to be a contentious one. However, some experts argue that a compromise could be reached that would allow for the safe and responsible sale of delta-8 and other hemp products while also protecting the Compassionate Use Program.
In the meantime, patients like Jack Stinnett are left to navigate the complex and often confusing world of medical marijuana and hemp products. As one patient advocate put it, “We just need politicians to get out of the way and let patients have access to the medicine they need.”
