Over 120,000 Texas residents submit letters and petitions opposing THC restriction to Governor Abbott
A Bold Stand Against Senate Bill 3: Farmers, Veterans, and Small Business Owners Speak Up
United in Opposition
Texas hemp farmer Colton Luther, along with a whopping 120,000 others, recently penned a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, urging him to veto Senate Bill 3 (SB 3). The bill, if signed, would lead to a ban on consumable THC products such as vapes and gummies, causing a devastating impact on hemp farmers, small businesses, and veterans.
Hemp Farmers' Struggle
Luther, who works closely with farmers at Geremy Greens, a hemp farm near Austin, expressed his concern that SB 3 would take away an entire industry, jobs, and money. Texas farmers are already losing money every day that the bill remains in limbo.
Lawmakers have tried to reassure farmers that only consumable hemp products containing THC are at risk. However, Luther argued that this accounts for most of the growers' business. He questioned, "What business do we have left?" as taking away the market that creates demand for farmers' products could leave them without any business.
The Veterans' Perspective
U.S. Army Veteran Dave Walden also wrote to Governor Abbott, warning that a THC ban would leave veterans reliant solely on the Texas Compassionate Use Program. Walden pointed out that THC products through the program cost him five times more compared to options at cannabis dispensaries. He expressed his doubts about whether a veteran who lives on disability and makes a couple of grand a month could afford it.
Mitch Fuller, the national and state legislative chairman for Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars, added his voice to the chorus of opposition. Fuller pointed out that legal THC products provide an important alternative modality to opioids and antidepressants, which he argued have been negligently pushed by the VA for the past 25 years. He indicated that opposing SB 3 was the top priority for the veterans organization and warned that taking away readily available THC products could lead to an increase in veteran suicides.
The Debate Continues
SB 3 was championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who argued that the bill would "save an entire generation from being hooked on drugs." However, opponents of the bill maintain that it will devastate the Texas hemp industry, costing jobs and money, and potentially driving farmers to move to states where marijuana is legal or decriminalized. The bill has sparked a heated debate, with supporters emphasizing regulatory oversight and public safety, while opponents highlight the potential economic and social impacts on various stakeholders in Texas.
As of now, Governor Abbott has until June 22 to take action on the bill. If he does not veto it, or if he signs it, the bill will go into effect on September 1. The fate of Texas hemp farmers, small businesses, and veterans hangs in the balance.
Enrichment Data:
The Case for SB 3
- Advocates of SB 3 argue that the bill provides necessary regulatory oversight to safeguard public safety by restricting access to potentially intoxicating hemp-derived products, particularly for minors. The bill mandates child-resistant packaging and restricts sales near schools.
- Proponents of SB 3 express concerns about the lack of quality control and potential health risks associated with unregulated THC products, suggesting that SB 3 addresses these issues by requiring microbial testing and labeling of cannabinoid content.
Arguments Against SB 3
- The bill's opponents argue that SB 3 will devastate the Texas hemp industry, which is valued at over $8 billion and supports approximately 50,000 jobs. The potential economic losses for farmers, small businesses, and veterans could be significant.
- Critics of SB 3 point out that the bill creates new criminal offenses related to hemp products, which could result in unjust penalties and overcrowding in the criminal justice system.
- By banning hemp-derived THC products, there is a risk that consumers may turn to unregulated black markets, undermining public health goals by increasing access to unsafe products.
- Some argue that the bill is influenced by the alcohol and beverage industries, which might seek to protect their markets from competition from hemp-derived products.
- "The news of the potential impact of Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) on farmers, small businesses, and veterans has sparked a fierce debate in the realm of policy-and-legislation and general-news, with various stakeholders expressing their concerns about the bill's possible repercussions."
- "Amidst the ongoing discussions about SB 3, hemp farmers, veterans, and small business owners are not only voicing their opposition to the bill in news articles but are also reaching out directly to Governor Greg Abbott, pleading for a veto to save their livelihoods and industries."
