Well, Texas, if you were hoping our elected officials might finally embrace reality, science, or even basic common sense when it comes to cannabis policy — lol, nope. Instead, the Texas House just gave a big yeehaw to banning all consumable hemp products that contain THC, because nothing says “freedom” like government micromanaging your gummies.
What started out as a reasonable attempt to regulate hemp-derived THC products — think age restrictions, packaging rules, and taxes — quickly went off the rails when Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) slapped the “absolutely not” button. Oliverson, a physician (and apparently part-time reefer madness revivalist), declared these products “psychosis-inducing, overdose-prone chemicals masquerading as relief,” per Houston Public Media. So, if you were using THC to treat PTSD, anxiety, or pain — congrats, you’re now a criminal in his eyes.
Oliverson’s amendment gutted Rep. Ken King’s (R-Canadian) regulation-based version of the bill, which at least tried to acknowledge that, you know, banning things hasn’t historically worked out that well — see also: alcohol in the 1920s, or more recently, actual marijuana.
King himself seemed to remember the whole “Prohibition was a disaster” thing, saying, “I read about the 1920s. I don’t think Prohibition worked in 1920. It’s not going to work in the 2020s.” Wise words. Which he promptly ignored when he voted for the amendment anyway. Ah, Texas politics: where cognitive dissonance is a bipartisan sport.
(Oh and speaking of Prohibition, it’s important to remember that such pesky laws never apply to the wealthy.)
Democrats tried to talk sense. Rep. Rafael Anchía (D-Dallas) pointed out the obvious—that bans don’t work and regulating and taxing THC is a more adult approach. Rep. Josey Garcia (D-San Antonio) delivered a gut-wrenching speech about her Army veteran husband using THC to cope with being shot in Afghanistan, but sure, let’s pretend THC-laced seltzers are the real national security threat.
Then came Rep. Terri Leo Wilson (R-Galveston), who delivered an emotional story about her daughter’s illness related to THC use. It’s tragic, and no one doubts her sincerity. But turning that into a one-size-fits-all justification for criminalizing products that help thousands, including veterans and the chronically ill, is like banning peanuts because someone had an allergy.
The bill passed in a 95-44 vote, which means plenty of our alleged Democrats bravely jumped on board (reportedly after getting leaned on).
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who must have been pleased as punch, swooped in afterward with a social media victory lap, praising the House for “protecting children” from the terrifying scourge of legal THC products (many of which are sold in 21+ stores, by the way).
His statement made it sound like those durn kids are getting stoned on every street corner, presumably between sips of Delta-8 Tang and puffs of Nerd Rope vapes.
After one more reading in the House, the bill will go back to the Senate for final approval before Gov. Greg Abbott presumably signs it.
But even some of his fellow Republicans weren’t a fan of, you know, taking away rights.
So there you have it. In a state where you can buy a gun faster than a THC tincture, where healthcare access is abysmal, lawmakers decided this was the hill to die on.
God forbid Texans be allowed to choose a legal, mild cannabinoid over, say, addictive opioids or a nightly cocktail. We can’t have people feeling relief or anything. That might be un-Texan.
Anyway, if THC is your thing, stock up now because the freedom police are banging at the door.
