Texas Cannabis Advocates Condemn Misinformation in Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Press Conference on SB 3
In a press conference surrounded by law enforcement officials, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Senator Charles Perry used fear and misinformation to promote SB 3, a bill aimed at banning THC in Texas. The event, filled with alarmist rhetoric and unfounded claims, ignored real solutions that would effectively regulate cannabis and ensure consumer safety.
Concerns about semi-synthetic THC can be directly addressed through regulatory enforcement and by legalizing natural cannabis. It is Texas’ 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.
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is responsible for overseeing the production and sales of consumable hemp products. DSHS has the authority to enforce existing laws and regulations, but has been ineffective. If unsafe or illegal products are being sold by businesses registered with the agency, then immediate regulatory enforcement—not prohibition—is the solution.
During the press conference, officials repeatedly used terms like “death” and claimed these products are “killing” people without providing any evidence to support their assertions. While consumer safety is a legitimate concern, Texas has neglected proper regulation and enforcement for six years since legalizing hemp in 2019.
Banning THC in Texas will not eliminate consumer demand but will instead push people toward illicit products from other states. The only way to prevent consumers from resorting to the illicit market is to establish a legal, well-regulated market for safe cannabis products.
This press conference was nothing more than ’Reefer Madness 2025. Fear-based legislation will not yield the intended results. What Texas needs is effective, enforceable regulation. Especially to protect minors, that means implementing clear age restrictions, requiring a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, establishing strict packaging and advertising standards, and ensuring real oversight of the industry.
SB 3 also comes with significant financial and legal consequences. The bill’s fiscal note estimates it will cost Texas more than $27 million, not including the untold costs to the criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors will be forced to divert resources from real crime to arrest and convict thousands of Texans for possessing a federally legal product. These convictions will derail the lives of countless peaceful adults who choose to use cannabis, further straining the state’s economy and communities.
This issue is about freedom and responsibility—two values that can and should coexist in Texas. Rather than pushing for reactionary bans that ignore the root of the issue, Texas lawmakers should take a responsible approach by creating a well-regulated market for natural cannabis. This path will ensure consumer safety while curbing the rise of potentially unsafe alternatives.
Supporters of cannabis regulation can use this link to contact their legislators: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/texas-regulate-dont-ban-thc-products-oppose-sb-3?source=direct_link&