Marijuana Under Fire: Texas Senate Passes THC Restriction Bill

Texas lawmakers are facing off over the future of cannabis regulation, as Senate Bill 3—aimed at banning all THC products except for CBD and CBG—moves to the state House of Representatives after clearing the Senate floor last month. Co-authored by Sen. Donna Campbell, the bill seeks to close what she calls a dangerous loophole that has allowed high-potency, unregulated THC products to flood the market. Her office has cited a growing number of emergency room visits and poison control calls linked to these substances, especially among children, as reported by the Beaumont Enterprise.

Sen. Donna Campbell’s office has pointed to a rise in emergency room visits and poison control calls linked to THC products as justification for Senate Bill 3, which would ban nearly all cannabinoids except for CBD and CBG. “Emergency room visits and calls to poison control centers linked to THC products have increased, and that’s not something that can be ignored,” Campbell’s communications team stated, reinforcing the senator’s push for tighter restrictions. 

Campbell’s office framed the bill as a public health measure to curb the spread of high-potency, unregulated THC products. However, cannabis advocates and stakeholders warned the measure would devastate Texas’ $8 billion hemp industry and eliminate thousands of jobs.

Following intense debate and stakeholder input, the House committee’s version now permits certain THC products—like delta-9 derived from Texas-grown hemp—to remain on the market under a new fee and permit system. Additionally, the revised bill prohibits deceptive packaging that appeals to children and bans THC vaping products altogether. The update also introduces a state tax on THC sales, with revenue distribution set at 50% to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and the remaining funds split between other state agencies.

In a move welcomed by the hemp industry, the bill now bars cities from enacting THC regulations stricter than state law. This provision aims to create regulatory consistency across Texas, while still addressing concerns about youth safety and product transparency. While the bill is still pending further votes, the House’s changes signal a shift from outright bans to structured oversight—an approach some advocates say is more realistic and economically sustainable.

Heather Fazio, a cannabis policy reform advocate, agrees that the current landscape is flawed but warns that outright prohibition would backfire. She advocates for strict regulation—including product testing, clear labeling, and age restrictions—to ensure safety without driving the market underground. While Campbell’s team claims that industrial hemp farmers won’t be impacted, Fazio and other stakeholders are urging the House to revise the bill to prioritize oversight over bans.