THC seems to be top of mind for Texas politicians. Nearly two dozen bills relating to weed have been filed this legislative session, and most of them are aimed at decriminalizing the substance either partially or completely. Will Texans be free to toke up without consequence by 2026? Several reps hope so.
Of the 19 bills proposed this legislative session at the Texas Capitol, only one seeks to close the loophole that allows THC strains other than Delta 9 to be bought in sold in the Lone Star State. That bill, Senate Bill 3 filed by Texas Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), seeks to outlaw all THC strains for recreational use. If passed, though, it would not hinder medical access already allowed in Texas.
Otherwise, Texas reps and senators are looking to expand medical access to marijuana, lessen criminal repercussions for possessing the drug or outright legalize weed for recreational use. The fact legislative efforts in Texas are tipping toward favoring the substance is surprising considering Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patric vowed to outlaw all forms of THC for recreational use in 2025.
“Dangerously, retailers exploited the agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and made them easily accessible,” Patrick said in a statement at the end of 2024 before placing the ban as his No. 3 priority this session. “Since 2023, thousands of stores selling hazardous THC products have popped up in communities across the state, and many sell products, including beverages, that have three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer.”
Texas dem seeks to expand THC access to those with menstrual cramps
Texas Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-Dallas) filed House Bill 2972 this month which would expand access to medical marijuana. If passed, doctors would be allowed to prescribe THC products to individuals suffering from menstrual cramps, including diagnoses of premenstrual dysphoric disorder or dysmenorrhea – a medical term for painful menstrual cramps.
A report on the New Jersey government website claims CBD products can help relax muscles and relieve pain during intense menstrual cramps. However, a study published by the National Library of Medicine indicates more research is needed to form a link between cramp relief and marijuana use.
Texas politicians look to combat opioid crisis with weed?
There’s no question that the United States suffers from opioid over prescription. There’s been strong efforts over the past decade to ween the country off its opioid reliance. Now, Texas Rep. Venton Jones D-Dallas) and Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) filed companion bills that would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana in any instance they’d otherwise offer an opioid prescription.
House Bill 1574 and Senate Bill 928 would allow the treatment of chronic pain that’d otherwise be attacked with opioids to be treated with weed. Emerald Forest CBD Dispensary owner Romish Abdulrashid has seen how THC products can replace opioids firsthand.
“There’s been a lot of people who went from using just regular cannabis to Delta 8,” Abdulrashid told MySA. “But it’s also been customers that have been using opioids in the past. Let’s say, God forbid, someone gets in a car accident and has lots of back pain. They’ll go to a doctor, and their doctor will prescribe them opioids that have a lot of bad side effects and could also be very addictive. A lot of those people have switched over to Delta-8.”
Two Texas democrats want to legalize marijuana for recreational use
Two Texas representatives, Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas) and Rep. John H. Bucy III (D-Austin), filed similar bills essentially hoping to make recreational marijuana legal for anyone 21 and older. House Bills 1208 and 2975 would allow adults to have up 2.5 ounces of the drug on their person or in their vehicle, but they would also allow folks to keep up to 10 ounces stowed away at home in a locked container.
Other bills filed in Texas referencing THC and cannabis
HB 11146, HB 1574: Allowing medical use of low-THC cannabis
HB 1797: Would ban government agencies from drug testing employees for cannabis
HB 1504, HJR 70, SB 928, SB 170, SB 259, SB 734: Creates additional protections for medical marijuana users
HB 1763: Lessen criminal consequences for marijuana possession
SB 1505: Sets rules around marijuana dispensaries for medical use
SB 335: Would legalize recreational THC use for adults
SB 733: Aims to establish a cannabis research program
H/T: www.mysanantonio.com
