“Since 2023, thousands of stores selling hazardous THC products have popped up,” he said in the release. “Many sell products … [with] three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer.”
Nico Richardson, CEO of the medical marijuana dispensary Texas Original, said there were about 1,948 Texas retail stores offering hemp products in 2020. By the end of 2024, the Texas Department of State Health Services had 7,970 registered hemp retailers.
State officials at a May 29 Texas Senate hearing said product testing is expensive, and it would take years to reach every retailer with current staffing.
The timeline
- 2015: Texas passes Senate Bill 339, which launched a medical marijuana program in 2017
- 2018: Federal Farm Bill passes, legalizing the commercial production of hemp
- 2019: Texas passes House Bill 1325, legalizing the sale of hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC
- 2021: Texas Department of State Health Services attempts to ban delta-8; the case is awaiting a final decision from the Texas Supreme Court
- 2024: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces intentions to ban all THC products in Texas
- 2025: 89th Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 14-June 2
What’s next
In testimony to the Texas Senate on behalf of the Texas Medical Association, Texas Pediatric Society and Texas Public Health Coalition, Austin-area physician Dr. Robert Emmick said he believes there’s not enough research to know how these products impact adolescents.
“Kids can get [cannabis products] in all kinds of places—grocery stores, convenience stores, … literally across the street from schools in some cases,” said Betsy Jones, director of policy and strategy at Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth.
Patrick said state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, will file Senate Bill 3 to ban all forms of THC in Texas.
“This bill will have broad bipartisan support in the Senate, and I trust the House will also see the danger of these products and pass this bill with overwhelming support so it can become law immediately,” Patrick said.
