Texas Governor Calls for Stricter Regulations on THC Products, Including Ban for Those Under 21
As the special session of the Texas legislature gets underway, Governor Greg Abbott is pushing for stricter regulations on THC products, including a ban on consumption for those under the age of 21. Abbott vetoed a previous bill that would have banned all consumable THC products, citing concerns about legal challenges.
During an interview with FOX 4, Abbott emphasized the need for better regulation of the hemp industry in Texas. He believes that the industry should be strictly regulated to ensure that farmers can grow hemp and that hemp products with low levels of THC can be sold in the marketplace. The governor also wants to ban synthetics that are laced onto hemp products, which he considers to be “extraordinarily dangerous.”
Abbott’s proposal would require the hemp industry to be regulated similarly to how alcohol is regulated. He believes that this would help to ensure that products are safe and that law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to regulate the industry effectively.
Not everyone agrees with Abbott’s proposal, however. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and some North Texas law enforcement leaders believe that the industry is too big to regulate and that a total ban on THC products is the only way to protect communities. They argue that law enforcement officials would continue to struggle to regulate the industry, even with stricter regulations in place.
Abbott disagrees, saying that with proper resources, law enforcement agencies would be able to regulate the industry effectively. He believes that the key is to measure hemp products based on milligrams of THC, rather than the current methodology of .3% THC.
In addition to the THC regulation proposal, lawmakers will also be tasked with redrawing Texas’s congressional districts during the special session. Abbott has said that the decision to redraw the maps comes from changes in the law that no longer require coalition districts. Critics have accused Abbott of letting President Donald Trump call the shots on the redistricting process, but the governor has denied this, saying that he is focused on ensuring that the maps are drawn in a way that maximizes the ability of Texans to vote for their candidate of choice.
Overall, Abbott’s proposals aim to strike a balance between protecting the lives of children and protecting the liberty of adults. While some may disagree with his approach, he believes that stricter regulations and a ban on THC products for those under 21 are necessary to ensure public safety.
