In the midst of all the Texas weed turmoil, the plant’s advocates in the state have a lot to watch out for.
Since a second special session was convened on August 18, the focus has largely shifted to a bill that would completely ban hemp THC products in the state. In the meantime, though, there are other things happening that residents should keep their eyes out for.
RELATED: Texas DA smokes weed on TikTok to fight THC ban
A rare win
Despite the overflow of concerns about cannabis in Texas, it turns out there is a reason to celebrate: a new law took effect on Labor Day that grants more residents medical marijuana access.
The legislation, under House Bill 46, expands upon the state’s Compassion Use Program. Individuals with chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), Crohn’s disease, and those in hospice care will now have access to medical marijuana. Regulators will also be required to approve more dispensary licenses.
Before this revision, Texas’s medical program was limited to residents with cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, autism, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure disorders.
This expansion also allows for more methods of consumption, including lotions, suppositories, and inhalables. Even so, the products will remain highly regulated—they are limited to 10mg of THC and must be approved by a registered doctor. Prescriptions will be tracked online.
The law’s expansion to those with chronic pain has the potential to make a big difference in many people’s lives. In a survey conducted by NuggMD, around 91 percent of 391 cannabis consumers believe the plant is effective in treating chronic conditions, with 65 percent saying it’s “very effective.”
Texas plans to issue 15 new dispensary licenses, including satellite locations.
According to CBS 4 News, El Paso residents were fairly supportive of the new bill. One resident told the publication, “In a medical way, that’s what people turn to; a lot of people are turning to marijuana instead of pills.”
Vape ban
In other news, a vape ban drafted by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) took effect in Texas on Monday. The bill, which was signed into law on June 20, prohibits the marketing, advertising, and sale of “certain e-cigarette products,” as well as creates a criminal penalty for said actions.
The bill does not completely ban nicotine vapes, but it regulates marketing. Packages must not contain cartoon-like characters or “other symbols attractive to minors, images or names of celebrities, or images that resemble food products such as candy or juice.” The vape itself also cannot be made to look like school or office supplies, like markers or highlighters.
THC vapes, on the other hand, are completely banned. SB 2024 prohibits the sale of any vapes, including any cannabinoids, alcohol, kratom, kava, mushrooms, or tianeptine. Breaking this law is considered a Class A misdemeanor—punishments include up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.
All e-cigarettes fully or partially made in China or any other “foreign adversary” of the US are also banned.
THC ban still stalled
The pending THC ban in Texas is by far the most anticipated piece of legislation regarding weed in the state, but unfortunately, there’s no update yet.
Senate Bill 6, which would completely ban THC in the state, was passed by the Senate on August 19, but it hasn’t been heard by the House yet. Lawmakers have suggested that the current session is coming to an end in the coming days, meaning that the bill will either need to shoot to the top of the hearings or will be stalled yet again.
This is the third attempt this year by Texas legislators to ban hemp THC.
RELATED: Texas may ban hemp THC after all
Keep eyes on Texas
The recent days have carried both good and bad news for Texas cannabis consumers, but the overall sentiment feels anything but stable. Be sure to keep an eye on what’s happening, as one move may change the entire weed landscape in the state.