Austin, Texas – Lawmakers in Texas are moving to expand the state’s medical marijuana program while also considering stricter regulations on hemp products sold across the state. This legislative push aims to address both the needs of patients relying on medical cannabis and the growing unregulated hemp market that has emerged.
Currently, only three licensed medical marijuana dispensaries operate in Texas, providing support to an estimated 110,000 patients since the program’s inception in 2018. Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, expressed optimism about the potential expansion, stating that legislators are beginning to understand the importance of the services offered to critical medical patients.
Recently, the House Public Health Committee advanced House Bill 46, while the Senate prepared for a debate on a companion bill, Senate Bill 1505. This proposed legislation seeks to triple the number of licensed dispensaries and allows license holders to open satellite locations throughout Texas. Richardson emphasized the logistical challenges faced by current dispensaries, explaining that transportation of products to patients often requires lengthy trips across the state.
The update to the Texas Compassionate Use law focuses on making medical cannabis more accessible and affordable. Richardson highlighted that while the pricing for their products competes well with the unregulated market for plant-derived THC, it becomes difficult to compete against cheaper synthetic alternatives.
In tandem with the medical marijuana discussion, Texas lawmakers are also deliberating on regulations for the hemp industry. Senate Bill 3 proposes a ban on most THC-containing products, including gummies and beverages. Although there is a compromise bill intended to regulate hemp products and create a licensing framework, Richardson indicated that this could impact nearly 10,000 businesses across the state, complicating the regulatory landscape.
Richardson warned against the challenges of creating a regulatory body capable of overseeing such a vast number of retailers, suggesting that a more effective approach would involve reducing the number of retail outlets drastically to better align with law enforcement and regulatory capabilities.
Despite a previous attempt to expand the compassionate use law falling short two years ago, there remains a sense of urgency among lawmakers as they push to finalize legislation before the session closes in less than a month.
The developments in Texas reflect a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive cannabis regulation amid increasing demand from patients and ongoing concerns about unregulated products flooding the market.
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