Texas’ Complex Cannabis Landscape: A Guide to THC, CBD, and More
As 4/20 approaches, the state of marijuana in Texas remains murky. The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 3, which aims to ban all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. The bill’s proponents argue that THC is being sold illegally throughout the state, exploiting a loophole in the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the Farm Bill.
However, the bill’s opponents argue that banning THC would be devastating to the hemp industry, which generates $8 billion in revenue annually and employs nearly 50,000 people. They claim that the industry is already regulated and that stricter regulations would be more effective.
So, what’s the current state of cannabis in Texas? Here’s a breakdown:
* Recreational use of marijuana is still illegal in Texas, with possession of two ounces or less considered a Class B misdemeanor.
* Medical marijuana is legal in Texas, but only for patients with specific conditions, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Low-THC cannabis products are available for these patients, but high-THC products are not.
* Hemp is legal in Texas, as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. This includes consumable hemp products, such as CBD oil and edibles.
* Delta-8 THC, a type of cannabis that is psychoactive but less potent than Delta-9 THC, is legal in Texas, but its status is uncertain due to a temporary injunction filed in Travis County.
The Texas House is considering its own anti-cannabis legislation, House Bill 28, which would regulate cannabis products rather than banning them outright. The bill would ban the manufacturing and sale of edible consumable hemp products, smokable hemp, and inhalable products, but would regulate THC-infused drinks.
The debate surrounding SB3 and HB28 has sparked intense discussion, with proponents and opponents weighing in on social media. While some argue that stricter regulations are necessary to protect public health, others claim that the industry is already regulated and that banning THC would be devastating to the economy.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of cannabis in Texas is uncertain, and the laws surrounding it are complex.
