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,” essentially the costs and harms lawmakers associate with legal THC products in Texas.
Interim charges are how the Legislature previews its priorities before reconvening in January 2027, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made clear that hemp regulation remains squarely on his agenda heading into the 90th legislative session. The fact that cannabis policy has moved from State Affairs to Health and Human Services this cycle, and is being framed as a “societal/health costs” issue, is a notable shift. It suggests Patrick is now building the public health and criminal justice cost case as the rationale for further restriction.
This hearing is invited testimony only, and the witness list is not yet posted. Expect mostly medical and public health voices. While there will be no public testimony, anyone can submit written testimony for the official record. A livestream should be available on the Senate’s Live Broadcasts page.
Committee page and written testimony submission: capitol.texas.gov/Committees | Senate Live Broadcasts: senate.texas.gov/av-live.php | Lt. Gov. Interim Charges: 2026 Interim Charges (PDF)