A Texas Senate committee is laying the groundwork for another attempt to ban consumable hemp-derived THC products, with lawmakers and invited witnesses arguing that the products pose growing public health and safety risks while critics urged legislators to focus on regulation and treatment rather than prohibition.
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened Tuesday for an interim hearing examining the societal impacts of THC products sold in Texas. The meeting was informational only, and no votes or legislative action were taken. Instead, testimony gathered during the hearing is expected to help shape legislation for the 2027 legislative session.
State Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), one of the Legislature's leading critics of the hemp industry, confirmed he intends to once again file legislation banning consumable hemp-derived THC products after a similar effort fell short last year following Gov. Greg Abbott's veto.
Throughout the hearing, several Republican lawmakers compared today's THC market to past drug epidemics, reviving themes associated with the anti-drug campaigns of the 1980s and emphasizing concerns about youth access, addiction, and mental health.
Unlike many legislative hearings, the committee did not accept public testimony because of time constraints. Instead, invited witnesses largely consisted of individuals who have publicly advocated for stricter oversight or bans on THC products.
Among those testifying were Allen Police Chief Steve Dye, whose department has been involved in high-profile enforcement actions against hemp retailers, and Aubree Adams, director of Citizens for Safe and Healthy Texas, an organization that has campaigned against hemp-derived THC products due to concerns over youth exposure and mental health impacts.
Committee Chair Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) highlighted state data showing an increase in newborns testing positive for THC. According to information from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 1,559 children tested positive at birth for THC during fiscal year 2024, rising to 1,896 in fiscal year 2025.
Medical professionals and educators also testified about cannabis use disorder, poison control calls involving THC products, and concerns surrounding frequent consumption. Witnesses argued that increased product availability has led to greater use and, consequently, more adverse health outcomes.
Not all testimony supported a prohibition-focused approach.
Katharine Neill Harris, a drug policy fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, cautioned lawmakers against attributing broad societal issues such as homelessness, mental illness, and youth educational challenges solely to cannabis use. She said THC may increase the risk of psychotic episodes among people already predisposed to those conditions but distinguished that from claims that THC directly causes psychosis in otherwise healthy individuals.
Harris also argued that improving access to affordable, high-quality substance abuse treatment should be part of any legislative response, noting that early intervention can help prevent mild substance use disorders from progressing into more severe addiction.
The hearing marked a stark contrast from comments made earlier this year by Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) and Rep. Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) during the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference. At that event, both lawmakers said last year's effort to ban consumable hemp products demonstrated how many Texans rely on the products and suggested the state should pursue stronger regulation rather than outright prohibition.
The debate follows a contentious legislative battle last year.
The Texas Legislature approved legislation banning consumable hemp-derived THC products over concerns that intoxicating products were increasingly reaching minors. Abbott vetoed the bill, directing the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Texas Department of State Health Services instead to strengthen oversight of the industry.
New state regulations took effect March 31, significantly tightening requirements for hemp businesses. The rules mandate child-resistant packaging, expanded labeling and testing standards, stricter recordkeeping requirements, and codify the minimum purchasing age of 21.
The regulations also changed how THC concentrations are measured by requiring laboratories to calculate total THC content. Products exceeding the state's 0.3% THC limit are now considered noncompliant, effectively removing many popular hemp products, including THCA flower and pre-rolled joints, from the legal market.
In addition, licensing costs increased dramatically, with manufacturer licenses rising from $258 to $10,000 per facility and retail registrations increasing from $155 to $5,000.
Industry representatives have argued the steep fee increases amount to a de facto ban that will force many businesses to close. Supporters of the changes contend the higher costs help fund enforcement efforts and discourage unlicensed operators from selling intoxicating hemp products.
During Tuesday's hearing, Perry praised the increased licensing fees, indicating that reducing the number of hemp businesses aligns with his policy goals. He also reiterated his determination to continue pursuing legislation that would eliminate consumable hemp-derived THC products from the Texas marketplace.
With interim hearings now underway, the committee's findings are expected to inform legislation when lawmakers return to Austin for the next regular legislative session in 2027. The debate is likely to once again pit advocates of a statewide ban against supporters of tighter regulation for Texas' multibillion-dollar hemp industry.
