Recently, the Texas Senate voted to prohibit all THC-infused product sales, close existing smoke shops, and prevent new ones from opening. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick even threatened to keep the legislature in session until the legislation moved through the House.
Patrick and the senators cited health concerns, noting the THC-infused products—sold through “loopholes” in state and federal law—are more dangerous than marijuana on the streets. Opponents of the legislation have claimed it will benefit black marketeers by making these currently legal products inaccessible.
Here is a sampling of the responses we received from folks on the topic.
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“House Republicans should side with our kids, parents, teachers, and doctors. Not the addiction-for-profit THC vendors peddling a brain-damaging substance and campaign contributions.” – Matt Poling, MD
“We don’t need any more drugs in our state. Too much has already come here and is killing our families.” – Donna Langston
“Returning to the Reefer Madness scare tactics of decades past is inappropriate, not credible, and will be ridiculed and rejected by the majority of Texans.” – Ronny Keister
“Please take into consideration medical THC, which is not adequately available in Texas.” – Denise Benedict
“As an intoxicant, alcohol alone is very damaging to individuals, families, and society. We don’t need another legal intoxicant.” – Tim Rhodes
“Rule is eight hours from bottle to throttle after drinking alcohol. No one knows how long it will take to get THC out of your system after consuming these products. How many people impaired with THC in their system do we meet on the highway daily? Safety matters.” – Danny Thompson
“The big problem is the smoke shops are located by schools, AND THEY DO NOT CHECK ID. So, kids are getting hooked on high nicotine vape pens and hemp products which steal motivation!” – Jodi Malanga
“As a nation, we have failed to move forward in treating chronic pain. I’m a disabled veteran, live in chronic pain, and have no medical relief. The Army did the studies on THC. They could make medical pills with a low THC content that works. They did all the testing. Pain relief without getting high. The fed gov NEVER wanted that because it would affect the big pharma lobbyists’ payments to them. As for recreational weed? Kill it off.” – Michael Sisley
“My son has epilepsy, and the THC helps with his seizures.” – Brenda Davis
“Marijuana or THC is never the issue; enforcement of basic social norms is. Let people do what they want while not subjecting others to poor behavior.” – Larry Morris
“Cannabis prohibition has failed, just as alcohol prohibition did. The government is banning a product that the people choose to use recreationally and medicinally.” – Nina Kruzan
“Legal THC should be limited to rare, prescription-only circumstances. Recreational use should be outlawed in most cases and classified as a Schedule 1 drug. Society needs to reward productive work and not promote couch potatos.” – Thomas Camardo
“The Lt. Governor and senators are obviously overreacting. Details can be updated and/or clarified. Crashing small businesses is a very bad look.” – Melinda Harris
“Name one red state that stayed red after legalizing cannabis (I’m looking at YOU, Colorado)!” – Brian Heitman
“An outright ban on THC is a knee-jerk reaction from establishment dinosaurs who fail to recognize how many of these products are helping people out of depression and alcoholism. The state has no problem with alcohol! I am in favor of removing packing marketed to look like candy. I’m for regulations and taxing it. I am NOT in support of an outright ban! What is this? 1910?” – Charles Flinn
“THC abuse continues to ruin lives, not unlike alcohol abuse. At least Alcohol has regulation on its potency. I know of no such regulations on THC.” – Michelle Petersen
“Our lazy lawmakers should make THC illegal by closing the loopholes the lawmakers put into the laws in the first place.” – Steve Sullivan
“Most states have legalized medical marijuana. Texas needs a proper method to distribute this product to those who benefit from this natural remedy.” – Sylvia McLeod
“Knowledge about cannabis and all related products is skimpy at best. Until the actual research catches up, we should not be aiding the industry with our agreement. to allow mostly unrestricted distribution of any of it.” – Darell Reichel
