Texas Hemp Farmers Fear Full THC Ban Would Strangle Industry
As lawmakers in Texas work to close loopholes that allow minors to access cannabis consumables, hemp farmers are warning that a total THC ban would strangle the industry. The ban, proposed in Senate Bill 3, would outlaw any consumable hemp products that contain even trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana.
Hemp farmers in Texas are concerned that the ban would not only eliminate the industry’s most profitable products, but also make it impossible for them to produce hemp without traces of THC, even for non-consumable products like clothing and paper.
Andrew Hill, a hemp farmer and owner of Texas Star Hemp Farms, said that the ban would be devastating for the industry. “There is not a single fiber of hemp that meets this THC-free criteria,” he said. “We’re looking at an industry that we hope is recovering and could provide value to the state, both from an economic impact and also creating jobs. We’d like to see all that hard work pay off, but we’re in a position where I’m not risking a felony for it. I’ll walk away before risking a felony.”
Hill’s concerns are echoed by other farmers in the industry. Kyle Bingham, a hemp farmer and owner of Bingham Family Vineyards, said that the ban would eliminate the industry’s most profitable products and make it impossible for farmers to produce hemp without traces of THC. “We’re looking at an industry that is primarily an export crop. We lack processing facilities for fiber or grain hemp crops, and the rules already in place limit what we can do with the crop beyond CBD products,” he said.
The ban is also opposed by the Texas Hemp Business Council, which represents the state’s hemp industry. “We are urging the Texas House to carefully consider the consequences of SB 3 and HB 28 on the tens of thousands of small businesses, farmers, and consumers who rely on the hemp industry,” said Cynthia Cabrera, president of the council.
Instead of banning THC, farmers are calling for regulations to ensure the safety of hemp products. They argue that creating regulations for hemp CBD products similar to those for vapes would be a more effective way to address concerns about the safety of hemp products.
The Texas Legislature is currently considering two bills related to hemp: SB 3, which would ban any consumable hemp products that contain even trace amounts of THC, and HB 28, which would focus on tightening regulatory loopholes and limiting the consumption of hemp-infused beverages to those
