Latest update
A new chapter for Texas Cannabis Policy Center
We have leadership changes to announce! Taking over as Director is Sarah Todd, with Holly McCord serving as Communications Director. Meet them in Austin on October 13.
Read the updateLatest update
We have leadership changes to announce! Taking over as Director is Sarah Todd, with Holly McCord serving as Communications Director. Meet them in Austin on October 13.
Read the updateHouston votes on a decriminalization ballot measure this November as new misdemeanor arrest numbers come out, and cannabis policy has become a point of contrast in statewide races.
Congress extended the federal hemp ban deadline to December 11. A new report estimates 68% of US hemp businesses would shutter if the ban stays in place.
Key dates for the November 3 election: voter registration deadline October 5, early voting October 19-30, and what ID to bring to the polls.
Vicente LLP's Daniel Molina published a briefing on the recent schedule change, which puts criminal penalties in place for possession of synthesized THC like Delta 8 or Delta 10.
Several lawsuits challenging the DSHS rules are making their way through the courts. None has produced a temporary restraining order or injunction, and hearings are set for later this fall.
Texas reinstated Schedule One rules and the outcome of the Sky Marketing case have raised a lot of questions about where THCA stands legally. So we reached out to our friends at Vicente LLP, and they put together the ana…
Testimony in DEA’s marijuana-rescheduling proceeding concluded July 15 after 11 hearing days. Vicente LLP summarizes the final week.
DSHS reinstated its 2021 cannabinoid definitions, classifying synthesized delta-8, delta-10, THCP and other non-delta-9 THC isomers as Schedule I controlled substances effective July 31.
The federal hemp redefinition is on track to take effect November 12. The bipartisan Lawful Hemp Protection Act (H.R. 9830) was introduced July 22 to replace that standard.
The industry lawsuit challenging the DSHS “Total THC” testing standard and licensing fee hikes is still ongoing. The trial has been delayed and the case could stretch into 2027.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard invited testimony on THC's impact on health care costs and mental health. The tone leaned toward restriction rather than regulation.
The long-anticipated DEA hearing on broad marijuana rescheduling begins June 29 in Arlington, Virginia and runs through July 15. The hearing will determine whether marijuana, beyond the medical products already reclassif…
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will meet Tuesday, July 7 at 10:00 AM in room E1.012 to take invited testimony on the interim charge studying “Addressing Societal Impacts of THC Product Consumption,” essen…
With federal cannabis rescheduling running in the background, President Trump is also urging Congress to keep the hemp THC loophole open, the third official ask in six months, each one more formal than the last. So far,…
Cannabis policy is moving faster than at any point in recent memory, and the changes are landing in every direction at once. On the positive side, federal medical cannabis just achieved its most significant milestone in…
Cannabis Moves to Schedule III — With Major Caveats
TABC Establishes On-Site Consumption Rule: A Sensible Alignment
April brings big news! DPS has issued three new conditional licenses under the Compassionate Use Program, bringing the total to 15 dispensaries, plus their satellite locations. More on this below.
The 0.4 mg Cap: What It Means and Why It Matters
TCUP Expansion: A Scoring Error and Its Correction
As advocates, our work in Texas doesn’t stop when the legislative session ends. While major statutory shifts happen at the Capitol, the crucial work of implementation happens during the rulemaking process of our state ag…
You're invited to join Dr. Ethan Russo and Credo Science for their next webinar, “Cannabis & Sports Medicine.”
I appreciate the opportunity to provide public comment on the Texas Department of State Health Services’ proposed rules governing the manufacture, distribution, and retail sale of consumable hemp products.
On December 26, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) published a far-reaching set of proposed rules in the Texas Register (starting on page 71) that would significantly reshape how consumable hemp product…
This afternoon, President Trump signed an executive order and announced a significant shift in cannabis policy: marijuana will be rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Texas is taking meaningful steps to strengthen the Texas Compassionate Use Program following the passage of HB 46. New qualifying conditions like chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, Crohn’s disease, and hospice care ar…
Federal cannabis and hemp policy took a dramatic turn this fall, with Congress passing legislation that poses serious challenges for the consumable hemp industry nationwide. These changes have created deep uncertainty fo…
Texas Officials Post Hemp Law ‘Checklist’ List To Help Businesses Comply With State Cannabis Rules
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ann Lee, founder and executive director of Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) - a woman whose courage, conviction, and compassion transformed the cannabis policy deb…
We’re proud to share that Doctors for Drug Policy Reform Expert Dr. Leslie Mendoza Temple and several D4DPR-affiliated experts (Drs. Kevin Boehnke, Deepika Slawek, Genester Wilson-King, and Mikhail Kogan, and scientific…
On Tuesday afternoon, Senator Rand Paul joined industry leaders to ring the alarm about imminent threats to legal hemp. Tell your Congressman and Senators to better regulate hemp products, rather than reverting to prohib…
Oct. 9 Stakeholder Meeting: TABC Outlines Path to Permanent Rules on Hemp Age Restrictions
Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to increase enforcement action against vape and smoke shops that are not in compliance with state laws and regulations governing hemp products…
The Texas Department of State Health Services is announcing the adoption of emergency rules that prohibit licensed and registered sellers of consumable hemp products from selling them to anyone under age 21. The rules, a…
Cannabis policy is evolving quickly!
October 3, 2025
We are excited to share that we've locked in the date for the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference, which will be hosted January 29-31, 2026 at UT Austin's Thompson Conference Center!
LUBBOCK, TX – Last Friday, Texas State Senator Charles Perry, formally requested that the Texas Department
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has adopted two emergency rules to implement Governor Greg Abbott’s recent executive order protecting children from hemp-derived THC products.
Policy Update: Governor Abbott’s Executive Order on Hemp-Derived THC
Event Details: Hosted at UT Austin | January 29-31, 2026 Internship Duration: 3 Months | Nov. 1, 2025 - Jan. 31, 2026
Austin, Texas — The Texas Cannabis Policy Center (TCPC) commends Governor Greg Abbott for issuing an executive order today that directs state agencies to restrict youth access to THC while ensuring responsible adults ret…
September 10, 2025 | Austin, Texas
Gov. Abbott Expected to Act to Protect Youth and Preserve Freedom with THC Executive Order
On August 21, the Health and Human Services Commission Executive Council met to discuss and approve proposed TCUP rules, which are now up for public comment. Click here to watch the meeting, including public comment from…
2025 Legislative Recap: A Defining Year for Cannabis Policy in Texas
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is taking major steps to implement House Bill 46 (HB 46), the most significant expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) since its creation in 2015. At the August…
We’re halfway through Gov. Abbott's second special session and, while SB 6 has passed the Senate, the THC ban bills seem stalled in the House. They've adjourned for the holiday weekend, with plans to return on Tuesday. T…
Yesterday’s 12-hour hearing on House Bill 5 was a testament to how seriously lawmakers are taking this issue. Committee members asked thoughtful, informed questions, showing a genuine interest in understanding the comple…
The governor's first called special session concluded his morning and he immediately called the legislature back for a second 30-day special session. Governor Greg Abbott’s proclamation includes two cannabis-related item…
The fight for sensible hemp policy in Texas continues.
The Texas House has come to a standstill. Democratic lawmakers have broken quorum in protest over proposed redistricting maps, leaving the chamber without the minimum number of members required to conduct business. Witho…
Advocates Condemn Criminalization of Hemp Consumers Under SB 5
Senator Nathan Johnson says:
Today in Austin, the Texas Senate is set to vote on Senate Bill 5, a sweeping hemp THC ban that flies in the face of Governor Abbott’s clear directive to regulate, not prohibit.
Senator Charles Perry's THC prohibition bill - SB 5 - is moving very quickly. The controversial legislation was introduced on the first day of the special session and immediately scheduled for a hearing the next morning.…
Yesterday in Austin, Sen. Charles Perry introduced Senate Bill 5, which closely reflects SB 3 from the regular session. The bill bans all cannabinoids other than CBD and CBG, creating criminal penalties for sales AND pos…
Join us every Tuesday at 10am to distribute pertinent cannabis policy information to every member of the Texas House and Senate.
Hemp in Texas: Regulation—not THC prohibition—is the sensible path forward
Governor Abbott Rejects Hemp Ban, Calls for Special Session to Regulate Industry
On Monday, June 23 we hosted a post-session legislative briefing to breakdown new cannabis laws, the impact on cannabis consumers and businesses, continued opportunities for advocacy, and the 2026 political timeline.
“Just because states may legalize hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill does not mean they must.”
Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed Senate Bill 3, rejecting a sweeping attempt to ban hemp-derived THC products in Texas. The veto is a major win for economic freedom, public safety, and the thousands of Texans who enjoy th…
Cannabis Economist Andrew Livingston Talks Tax Revenue, Hemp Beverages & Legal Reform on High Spirits Podcast
Hemp Industry Stakeholders File Preemptive Lawsuit Challenging Potential Texas THC Ban
Just one day before the deadline, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 46 into law, ensuring a significant improvement and expansion of the Compassionate Use Program (TCUP). This big change makes Texas the 40th state to es…
We're one week away from a final decision on Senate Bill 3, a bill that could shut down the hemp industry as we know it and re-criminalize federally legal hemp products. Governor Abbott has until midnight on Sunday, June…
We're hosting a Legislative Briefing on Monday, June 23 to breakdown new cannabis laws, the impact on cannabis consumers and businesses, continued opportunities for advocacy, and the 2026 political timeline as we lay gro…
SB 2024 increases penalties and expands prohibitions on marketing and sales of e-cigarette products, including an outright ban on vape products with any cannabinoids.
In an exclusive interview with KSAT, Abbott spoke about his position on a possible THC ban…
Led by the Texas VFW and Texas Hemp Business Council, press conference speakers included farmers, veterans, small business owners, and hemp advocates. They are speaking out against SB 3, which would put an end to legal T…
Last night (6/1) was a big deadline for the House and Senate to approved Rep. Ken King's HB 46. With bipartisan support, the bill was approved in time and will significantly expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program. Th…
Chairman King’s excellent medical cannabis bill - HB 46 - passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. Unfortunately, when the bill moved to the Senate, it was weakened by Sen. Perry, who stripped away key prov…
Both the Texas House and Senate have approved Senate Bill 3, sending the hemp prohibition bill to Governor Abbott for his approval...or VETO. He has 20 days after the legislative session ends to sign or veto the bill. If…
House Bill 46 aims to improve the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) and has evolved at nearly every stage of the legislative process. After passing the House as a great bill to improve and expand patient access to m…
On Thursday (5/22) the House reversed course and passed an outright BAN on most consumable hemp products. Rep. Tom Oliverson successfully amended the bill to revert to the Senate's original, sweeping prohibition language…
House Bill 46 aims to improve the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) and has evolved at nearly every stage of the legislative process. After passing the House as a great bill to improve and expand TCUP, the bill was…
On Monday, May 19, the Senate State Affairs Committee hosted a very quick hearing for HB 46, Chairman King's medical cannabis bill.. WATCH: https://senate.texas.gov/videoplayer.php?vid=22199&lang=en (@54:05)
After multiple delays and political maneuvering, the Texas House of Representatives has advanced Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), marking a major shift in the state’s cannabis policy. The bill passed its second reading with a vote…
After passing the House with a bipartisan supermajority, HB 46 (medical cannabis) has been quickly scheduled for a hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday, May 19! The committee meeting begins at 9am and…
After passing the House with a bipartisan supermajority, HB 46 (medical cannabis) has been quickly scheduled for a hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday, May 19! The committee meeting begins at 9am and…
This week the Texas House of Representatives passed Chairman King's HB 46 with a bipartisan supermajority vote of 122-21! (Voting record below.)
Chairman King's HB 46 - medical cannabis expansion - has been added to the agenda for our Texas House of Representatives! The bill could be voted on as soon as Monday, May 12, but could be pushed to Tuesday depending on…
Join us on Tuesdays at 10!
Bill Status: Approved by House State Affairs, Headed to the House of Representatives for a Vote
On Wednesday, April 30, the House State Affairs Committee voted unanimously to overhaul Sen. Charles Perry's SB 3 and advance a committee substitute, now known as CSSB 3. Instead of banning all hemp THC products, this bi…
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Texas Court Blocks Marijuana Decriminalization Law In Austin, Restoring Police Authority To Make Arrests For Simple Possession
We're 100 days into the legislative session, with 40 days to go! Two major THC ban bills - SB 3 and HB 28 - remain under consideration by the House State Affairs Committee. On Tuesday, advocates hit the halls of the Capi…
Governor Abbott: Fox 26 Interview - April 8, 2025
As lawmakers in Austin debate Senate Bill 3, which seeks to ban all consumable hemp products in Texas, a growing chorus of military veterans is pushing back—arguing that the legislation threatens their health, freedom, a…
On Monday, April 14 the House Public Health Committee will consider Rep. King's HB 46, a bill that aims to improve the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP). The bill defines the allowable amount of THC in terms of mill…
AUSTIN, TX — Hundreds of Texans flooded the State Capitol today to testify in opposition to two bills that threaten to dismantle the state’s hemp industry and criminalize consumers who use federally legal hemp products.…
Ricky Williams: 'It's time for Texas to stop fumbling the cannabis conversation' | Opinion
The House State Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing on Monday for Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 28, two bills that aim to re-criminalize THC in Texas. While the bills are similar, they vary in scope and severity. Us…
Today in Austin, Senate Bill 3 was debated, amended, and passed in the Senate. Next Step: SB 3 will be sent to the Texas House for further consideration.
Texas Cannabis Advocates Condemn Misinformation in Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Press Conference on SB 3
By Tanya Babbar | Houston Chronicle | March 18, 2025
Senate Bill 3 was approved by the State Affairs Committee last week. The bill is now on the Senate's Intent Calendar with eligibility for a vote TOMORROW, March 19! If passed, SB 3 will be sent to the House for further c…
Driving while high is hard to detect. States are racing to find a good tool
It has been a VERY busy week for cannabis advocates! In addition to SB 3 (THC ban) passing out of committee on Monday, SB 1505 (MMJ improvements) was approved by the committee yesterday. Both bills will soon be considere…
On Monday, the Senate State Affairs Committee hosted a hearing for Sen. Charles Perry's controversial Senate Bill 3, which would ban THC and nearly all other cannabinoids. The committee also heard SB 1505, Perry's bill t…
By Kyle Jaeger | February 28, 2025 | Marijuana Moment
By Steven Dial | Fox 7 Austin | March 9, 2025
The proposed ban would include vapes, drinks, gummies and other products sold by thousands of retailers.
On Thursday, the governor said he needed more information on Texas legislators' path forward for THC-related regulation.
At one point, the Texas Senate's gallery was cleared after multiple outbursts of support for those testifying against the prohibition of THC products.
With the filing deadline approaching quickly, dozens of cannabis bills have been introduced by Texas lawmakers. Several bills have been referred to committee for further consideration and hearings in the House are expect…
There is little doubt that a ban will sail through the Senate. But its prospects are far less certain in the House.
Retired Lt. Diane Goldstein | Austin American-Statesman | March 7, 2025
Rep. Joe Moody from El Paso emerges yet again as a champion of cannabis law reform!
The Senate State Affairs Committee will meet on Monday, March 3 to consider a number of bills, including two significant cannabis bills filed by Sen. Charles Perry. Both bills include unreasonable restrictions or outrigh…
The Senate State Affairs Committee has announced a hearing on Sen. Charles Perry's controversial Senate Bill 3 (SB3) on Monday, March 3 at 9am.
Senator Charles Perry's much anticipated Senate Bill 3 has been introduced and, while the bill includes some good changes to the law, it also sends Texas back into an era of prohibition.
Texas Senator Charles Perry sat down with the Texas Tribune's Matthew Watkins to discuss various issues, including one of his legislative priorities: cannabis policy.
We're one month into the legislative session and 20 cannabis bills have been filed so far. Several Senate bills have been referred to committee, but no hearings have been scheduled yet. The House is moving a little slowe…
from Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment:
from Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment:
Credo Science pleased to join forces with MM411, Global Cannabis Network Collective, and Canurta to bring you our upcoming webinar An Update on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Cannabis & Hope for the Future where we will…
from Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment:
from the American Medical Association:
This week in Austin, Rep. Matt Shaheen introduced HB 2155, a bill that would ban the sale of consumable hemp products in Texas. It would also ban the shipment of these federally legal products into Texas.
We've compiled voting records for cannabis related bills that received a vote in the Texas House during the last three legislative sessions (2019-2023). How did your representative vote on cannabis bills in previous sess…
With the adoption of Prop R, a citizen-driven ballot initiative, Dallas has joined a growing list of Texas cities that have decriminalized cannabis locally.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has shared some good news about record low rates of drug use among teenagers:
Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller, seems to be somewhere in the middle when it comes to the state's approach to controlling hemp-derived THC.
Between legislative sessions (known as the "interim"), committees of lawmakers are tasked with "interim charges," which call on them to study various areas of policy and make recommendations. Last year, Lt. Gov. Patrick…
The Texas Legislature convened today at HIGH NOON!
OPINION: A COMPASSIONATE AND SENSIBLE CANNABIS POLICY FOR TEXAS (1/2/2025)
As reported by Marijuana Moment's Ben Adlin:
As reported by Marijuana Moment's Kyle Jaeger:
The Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University has published a report that discusses the evolving legal status of hemp-derived cannabinoids in Texas and nationwide, public health risks posed by inadequate regul…
Reason's policy brief presents a series of recommendations for both federal and state authorities aimed at harmonizing standards across testing, labeling, packaging, and taxation for all cannabis products.
The Texas Legislature will convene from January 14 to June 2, 2025. The political landscape for cannabis in Texas has changed dramatically in recent years, creating exciting progress, unique challenges, and new opportuni…
As many have expected, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is moving full force ahead with his plan to ban hemp-derived THC. Authored by Sen. Charles Perry, Senate Bill 3 will be a top priority for the Senate, but the bill's…
May 29, 2024 -- The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee hosted a hearing on adult-use hemp products. Watch testimony from invited witnesses, including representatives from regulatory agencies, testing labs, and the CEO…
AUSTIN - On August 6, the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council, met to discuss a variety of recommendations to the legislature, including one recommendation to expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
The Texas Cannabis Policy Conference is returning to the prestigious Texas A&M University! This event will gather industry leaders, cannabis advocates, and regulators to discuss the latest advancements in cannabis scienc…
We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2024 Texas Cannabis Policy Conference! This must-attend event will be hosted at the prestigious Texas A&M University and will feature a…
From Marijuana Moment:
Recommendations for Regulating Intoxicating Cannabinoids Chemically Synthesized from Hemp Summary
Get ready for an unforgettable experience as we bring the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference back, live and in-person at the prestigious Texas A&M University! This is more than just a conference—it's an opportunity for you…
"Federal officials have been seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of marijuana from state-licensed cannabis businesses in New Mexico in recent weeks—detaining industry workers in what appears to be a localized…
Last week, Georgia passed SB 494, a bill establishing a regulatory framework and other rules for businesses that sell or manufacture hemp and hemp products.
Not unexpectedly, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is ramping up his efforts to ban intoxicating hemp products.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSH) is the regulatory agency responsible for managing the Consumable Hemp Program (CHP). As part of their regular administrative review process, rules for the CHP are curre…
Since beginning our work together 10 years ago, thousands of Texans have participated in our advocacy training events, citizen lobby days, and cannabis policy conferences. With support from our allies, we’ve hosted legis…
We're excited to share that we’re planning to host the 2024 Texas Cannabis Policy Conference this fall at Texas A&M University. Here’s a recap of our last big event.
Texans of all political persuasions agree: It’s time for cannabis law reform!
Please join us alongside Informed Texas for this virtual event dedicated to empowering individuals who want to effectively advocate for reform in Texas.
We'll email you when a hearing, vote or rule needs Texans to speak up, with what to say and who to say it to.