Special Session #2 Begins, Senate THC Bill Advances Quickly

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Just minutes after beginning the second special session, the Senate State Affairs Committee held a hearing on Sen. Charles Perry’s SB 6 — a bill identical to SB 5 as passed by the Senate in the first special session. To move this quickly, the Senate suspended their own rules to circumvent public notice requirements, disenfranchising many Texans who would have testified in opposition to SB 6.

After very little testimony and a quick hearing, the committee voted 9-0 to advance the bill. SB 6 now heads to the full Senate for a vote.

The Texas House did not have quorum and could not do any business, but Democrats are expected to return when the House reconvenes on Monday. If quorum is reached, the House could move just as quickly as the Senate to pass priority legislation — including this sweeping THC ban.

The governor's first called special session concluded on Aug. 15 and he immediately called the legislature back for a second 30-day special session. Governor Greg Abbott’s proclamation includes two cannabis-related items:

• Protect Children from THC – Legislation making it a crime to provide hemp-derived products to individuals under 21 years of age. Note: Some versions of the proclamation mistakenly said 18+. This was confirmed to be a clerical error. The correct age is 21+.
   
• Regulate Hemp-Derived Products – Legislation to comprehensively regulate hemp-derived products, including limiting potency, restricting synthetically modified compounds, and establishing enforcement mechanisms — all without banning lawful hemp-derived products.

Heather Fazio is a dedicated cannabis advocate with a strong track record of advancing reform efforts in Texas. With a passion for individual liberty and responsible policy, she has worked extensively to educate lawmakers, mobilize grassroots support, and collaborate with coalition partners to drive meaningful change.

Heather has played a key role in organizing training events, legislative briefings, lobby days, and educational exhibits, equipping advocates with the tools they need to engage effectively in the policymaking process. Her leadership in building strategic alliances has helped elevate the conversation around cannabis policy, ensuring that patient rights, personal freedoms, and responsible regulations remain at the forefront of legislative discussions.

Through her years of advocacy, Heather has become a trusted voice in Texas cannabis policy, bridging the gap between the public, lawmakers, and industry stakeholders to foster informed decision-making and meaningful reform.