Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is making it clear: Texas’ unregulated THC market is coming to an end. Standing alongside law enforcement officials and families devastated by the effects of synthetic cannabis products, Patrick pledged to shut down every THC retailer in the state—no matter how long it takes.
“We’re going to ban your stores before we leave here for good, whether it’s in May or July or August,” Patrick declared at a press conference Wednesday morning, recommending they voluntarily close their doors now.
Patrick’s remarks come as he leads a push for Senate Bill 3, authored by State Sen. Charles Perry (R–Lubbock), which would shut down all THC-infused product sales, close existing smoke shops, and prevent new ones from opening. He described the explosion of over 8,000 THC retailers across Texas in just the last few years as nothing short of a backdoor marijuana legalization effort, fueled by loopholes in state and federal law.
The Senate passed the bill in a 24-7 vote Wednesday afternoon.
Steve Dye, representing the Texas Police Chiefs Association, revealed that undercover police investigations found THC products with potency levels up to 78 percent, far beyond the strength of traditional marijuana.
“Wholesalers and retailers often market these products as candy, chips, and cookies, covering labels to disguise, misleading on the contents. Consumers have no idea what they’re consuming in these containers,” said Dye.
District Attorney Greg Willis of Collin County warned that regular THC use can permanently alter brain chemistry and has been linked to a fivefold increase in psychosis cases.
“As district attorney, I don’t just read about the impact of high-potency THC in studies. I see it firsthand. I see it in the courtroom. I see it in hospital records. I see it in shattered lives. This is not yesterday’s marijuana,” said Willis.
Sheriff Bill Waybourn of Tarrant County echoed those concerns, stating that 70 percent of his jail’s population is now suffering from mental health issues, with THC playing a major role.
“I talked to the mental health workers over there, and there’s no question that this marijuana is at the tip of the spear causing these issues,” said Waybourn.
The emotional testimony from Texas families underscored the urgency of Patrick’s fight. Aubree Adams, a Texas mother and advocate, described how her son suffered severe illness from Delta-8 and Delta-10. She also shared the heartbreaking story of Joshua Jimenez, a 22-year-old from Houston who suffered a psychotic break from THC use and ultimately took his own life.
“Joshua bought a product called Wedding Cake Delta 8, which caused him to fall into a psychotic break. The voices in his head told him to go to LA to save God’s children. He was suffering. He didn’t understand what was happening to his brain, and he stepped in front of a train in Pecos, Texas. He was 22 years old.”
Patrick emphasized that this effort isn’t about politics but about protecting Texans from a dangerous and deceptive industry.
“This is a poison in our public and we, as the legislature, our number one responsibility is life and death issues,” said Patrick.
Additionally, Patrick released a video Wednesday morning of his visits to smoke shops that sell THC, underscoring their proximity to schools.
“These rogue retailers are selling THC products containing several times more THC content than marijuana purchased from a drug dealer off the street,” Patrick said in a statement after the passage of SB 3. “These dangerous products must not be allowed to permeate our communities and endanger Texas children.”
Perry said he expected State Rep. Ken King (R–Canadian) to carry the measure in the Texas House.
