In the News

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Beaumont Enterprise (4/24/2025) “In the interest of public health and safety, regulation is the only approach that makes sure that products are tested, that packages are properly labeled, and that consumers are safe,” [Heather Fazio] said. “If we want to protect young people, regulation is the only way to actually do that.”

Austin Chronicle (4/4/2025) “While the Senate eagerly passed SB 3, a draconian bill to ban all THC and effectively shut down the hemp industry, the House is more inclined to support regulation,” explains Heather Fazio, director for the Texas Cannabis Policy Center. 

“We’ve worked for years to help them understand the harm caused by cannabis prohibition and we’re optimistic that our representatives will pass a bill that better reflects the people of Texas.”

Marijuana Moment (3/19/2025) “Concerns about semi-synthetic THC can be directly addressed through regulatory enforcement and by legalizing natural cannabis,” Heather Fazio, director of the group, said. “It is Texas’s commitment to prohibition that has created this market for converted cannabinoids in the first place.”

“If lawmakers are serious about protecting consumers, the logical step is to legalize and properly regulate botanical cannabis with naturally occurring THC, rather than enacting broad bans that drive demand for illicit alternatives,” she said.

Lone Star Live (3/18/2025) Hemp advocates in the Lone Star State continue to sound the alarm on Senate Bill 3. Heather Fazio, the director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, slammed the Texas Legislature for “resorting to a failed prohibitionist approach.”

“We recognize the need for stronger regulations to protect consumers and prevent underage access, but prohibition is not the answer,” Fazio said in a news release. “Banning these products will not eliminate demand — it will only drive sales into the illicit market, where there are no safety standards, ID checks, or oversight.”

NewsRadio 1080 KRLD (3/10/2025) Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said store owners are calling for regulation rather than total prohibition.

“We want to see safety standards put in place to protect consumers, but banning these products outright would devastate small businesses and the communities they serve,” Fazio said.

Chron.com (3/3/2025) "It is definitely an exciting time. Having nearly 200 people coming out to the Capitol on a Monday to testify about this," [Heather Fazio] said. "It's really incredible what's going on, this movement among the cannabis industry, but also this movement in general of those who prefer regulation over prohibition."

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.

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.

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.”

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."

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."

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.”

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.