Texas' booming hemp industry has survived another effort to ban intoxicating products. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's push to prohibit hemp-derived THC has died for the year after the Legislature adjourned its second special session Wednesday night.
"After long discussions last night between the Governor, Speaker, and me on THC, and continued hours of discussion today, we were not able to come to a resolution," Patrick said Wednesday night on X.
The Legislature managed to pass a host of GOP priorities during the session, most notably a new congressional map demanded by President Donald Trump to increase Republican seats. Lawmakers also passed bills limiting access to abortion pills, restricting what bathrooms trans people can use in government buildings and allowing over-the-counter sales of ivermectin.
But a bill to ban intoxicating hemp products stalled in the House as proponents ran up against calls to regulate intoxicating hemp products instead. The issue doesn't fall neatly along partisan lines, as hemp advocates voiced pro-business, pro-freedom and anti-big government talking points. Hemp industry officials have backed more stringent regulations, including limiting sales to people at least 21 years old, packaging and labeling requirements and third-party lab testing.
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