Texas Backs Up On Total THC Ban

Finally, some good news from Texas as far as THC goes. Texas politicos are walking back the total THC ban, opting to make the regs stricter instead of crippling the industry.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has made banning THC products a priority, calling them a "poison" and referring to his ban as a "life and death" matter. He's not backing off on this hellbent pursuit of a total ban but the lower house diluted his proposed bill a little.

Instead of a total ban, and pretty much a deathblow to the billion dollar industry, they just want stricter regulations applied to it.

As it stands, Texas law, (accidentally), allows up to 0.3% THC. The new bill, SB 3 called for an outright ban on all THC products. Period. The Texas House panel's rewrite allows the continued sale of THC loaded edibles, drinks and smokable hemp flowers whose THC content doesn't top 0.3% THC.

What Does The New Plan Ban?

It does ban vapes and also lets Texas counties make up their own minds as to whether or not they want to ban "consumable hemp". It also calls for a few, common sense laws:

• Products must be sold in child-resistant packaging that does not resemble popular snacks or otherwise appear marketed to kids.
• It establishes an age limit of 21 or older.The Texas Tribune says there is currently no age restriction.
• Sales would not be allowed within 1,000 feet of a school or certain other areas frequented by children. (Texas Tribune)

I'm pretty sure this isn't going to sit well with Lt. Gov. Patrick, (who recently squashed your right to vote on decriminalizing marijuana), so a showdown of some sort seems imminent - let's see what happens next.