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Senate passes bill to ban intoxicating hemp products amid debate over criminalization and public health
Summary
On final passage the Texas Senate approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 5 to restrict intoxicating hemp products, with supporters saying it will protect children and opponents warning it will re-criminalize users and hurt small businesses and veterans who rely on nonintoxicating products.
The Texas Senate on Aug. 3 approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 5, a measure that would ban certain intoxicating hemp products and tighten rules for consumable hemp, with the measure passing on a roll call of 21 ayes, 8 nays and one excused absence.
Supporters, led by bill sponsor Senator Perry, said the measure is aimed at protecting children and public safety by taking high-potency, synthetically altered THC products off retail shelves. "How is any Texas school child going to resist that?" Senator Perry said, urging colleagues to prioritize children over profit.
The debate touched on public health data and the structure of Texas’ hemp market.…
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