In the News
Majority of Texans support legalizing marijuana, but Patrick remains opposed
NewsRadio 1080 KRLD (2/10/2025) Heather Fazio, with the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said Patrick is taking aggressive steps to shut down the state’s consumable hemp industry.
"This session is going to be unique because we have a multi-billion dollar hemp industry in the state, which means there are nearly 10,000 licensed business owners who have everything to lose," she said.
Texas Lt. Gov. Touts Poll Result Backing Hemp Crackdown While Ignoring Support For Marijuana Legalization In Same Survey
Marijuana Moment (2/06/2025) Heather Fazio, of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, echoed those sentiments, writing in an email that “now is the time to institute better regulations, rather than sending us back to an era of prohibition.”
“There’s certainly a need for improved regulations, like age restrictions, but this multibillion-dollar industry reflects free enterprise, not exploitation,” Fazio said. She also called the survey question about banning THC “misleading” for suggesting that hemp products are entirely unregulated. “In fact, consumable products are regulated at the state and federal levels,” she said.
Texas Lt. Gov. Touts Poll Result Backing Hemp Crackdown While Ignoring Support For Marijuana Legalization In Same Survey
Houston Chronicle (2/05/2025) The discrepancy suggests some public confusion about the nature of THC, which is the primary cannabinoid in both marijuana and hemp that produces a "high," said Heather Fazio, director of [the Texas Cannabis Policy Center]. “The inconsistent polling numbers show that Texans are confused about cannabis policy, and that our laws are inconsistent and ineffective,” Fazio said. “What is clear is that Texans oppose prohibition.”
What could be in store for medical marijuana, consumable hemp products in Texas?
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (2/03/2025) "There is room to improve the state’s hemp program and regulate it," said Heather Fazio, director of [Texas Cannabis Policy Center], an advocacy group that favors regulation over a ban of consumable products.
“Which is going to be, in my opinion, much better for Texas,” Fazio said. “It’s going to be in our interest regarding public health and public safety.”
Texas THC retailers see rise in customers amid possible ban
Houston Chronicle (1/27/2025) "The sentiment of people wanting to stock up before this ban goes into effect is certainly there," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center—a coalition of organizations that advocates for policy reform. "Frankly, they would rather go to that store that is licensed and regulated than have to go back to buying it from the illicit market."
LISTEN: Despite strict laws, Texas is awash in intoxicating cannabis
National Public Radio - NPR (1/13/2025) "Don't take hemp-derived consumables away from us, something that works, something that helps," says Mitch Fuller, Chairman of the VFW National Legislative Committee and a veteran of the Iraq War. Like many veterans, he wants access to cheap, potent cannabis to treat his PTSD from combat duty. Don't take that option away from us," he continues, "and force us into the Texas compassionate use program if we don't want to use (medical) marijuana."
VIDEO: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick leads effort to ban THC in Texas
Spectrum News (12/12/2024) "The initiative comes after lawmakers in 2019 passed a bipartisan bill allowing the sale of consumable hemp products in Texas, just one year after hemp was legalized nationwide through the 2018 Farm Bill.
Since then, thousands of dispensaries have sprung up across the state. According to a report from the Texas Tribune, the number of active retail registrations for consumable hemp in Texas jumped from 1,948 in 2020 to 7,700 in early 2024."
Texas cannabis retailers react to Dan Patrick’s push to ban THC
Houston Chronicle (12/07/2024) Heather Fazio, the director of [the Texas Cannabis Policy Center] —a coalition of organizations and activities that advocate for policy reform—said state lawmakers need to redirect their attention to further regulation, not an outright ban.
"The bottom line is that prohibition has never worked, and this cat is not going back into the bag. We [will] hand over the industry to the illicit market, where we have no opportunity to regulate these products for consumer protection," Fazio noted. "The state is going to have to take a reasonable and more sensible approach to establishing and regulating this industry effectively."
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick vows to ban THC products, threatening dispensaries
Houston Chronicle (12/5/2024) “While we share their concern about youth access and potentially dangerous products sailing under the radar of regulators, we oppose banning cannabis for responsible adult use,” said Heather Fazio, co-founder of [the Texas Cannabis Policy Center]. “Such a ban would hand this multi-billion dollar industry over to the illicit market, abandoning all opportunity to properly regulate the industry."
Texas Lawmaker Files Cannabis Legalization Bill
Forbes (11/13/2024) "Heather Fazio of the group [Texas Cannabis Policy Center] said that 2025 is “likely to be a very consequential legislative session."
"Our state’s cannabis laws are complicated and ineffective,” Fazio told Marijuana Moment. “Thankfully lawmakers are taking the issue seriously and filing bills as soon as possible to get the process started.”
Texas Lawmaker Files Cannabis Legalization Bill
POLITICO (5/09/2021) “Medical cannabis is where we see the most common ground between Democrats, Republicans and Independents,” said Heather Fazio, a pro-marijuana advocate in Texas, where lawmakers are considering a major expansion of the state’s strict medical pot program.
VIDEO: Texas pot problem as new hemp law creates legal confusion
Fox News (9/28/2019) Heather Fazio, who has been advocating for marijuana legalization in Texas and elsewhere for years as part of the group Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, says she agrees with Abbott’s interpretation but is nonetheless encouraged by what she’s seeing.
“I find myself agreeing with the Governor, this doesn’t decriminalize statewide,” Fazio said, noting that the hemp bill that started it all was supported by members of both parties.