Senate Bill 3 Approved by the Senate, Headed to the House
Senate Bill 3 was approved by the Texas Senate with a bipartisan vote of 24-7. The bill will now be sent to the House, where there is far less support for an outright ban on THC. (Click here for a refresher on the legislative process.)
TAKE ACTION: Call your representative's office! Click here to look up your state representative's phone number. Here's an example of what you might say when you call:
"Hello, my name is _______. I'm a constituent calling about an important bill that will be up for a vote soon. I'm calling to express my strong opposition to SB 3, the bill that would ban hemp THC products. I support regulations to protect young people, but I'm very concerned about the negative impact of prohibition. Our state will be safer if we choose to effectively regulate these products, rather than criminalizing possession of these federally legal products."
REMINDER: Be sure to remain respectful and thank your senator for their service to your district.
Senate State Affairs Committee Hearing on Senate Bill 3
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 that makes changes to the Compassionate Use Program.
The hearing attracted a large turnout, with over 170 individuals registering to testify, highlighting the intense public interest and industry stakes. Testifying witnesses included regulators, hemp business owners, employees, consumers, cannabis attorneys, medical professionals, and law enforcement. (See our testimony here.)
The hearing was covered by the Texas Tribune, Houston Chronicle, CBS Austin, Fox 7, and Marijuana Moment.
Background: Senator Perry and Hemp
In 2019, Sen. Perry sponsored Texas’ hemp legalization bill, aligning with federal law. While it was generally framed as an agricultural measure to support hemp as an industrial crop, the legislation also established a regulatory framework for consumable hemp products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. In addition to federal oversight, these products are regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).
Following nationwide legalization, an influx of hemp producers flooded the CBD market, leading to oversaturation. The industry quickly evolved as cannabis laboratories began converting CBD into cannabinoids like Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC, which remain legal under both state and federal law. These alternatives to naturally occurring Delta-9 THC have fueled rapid market expansion.
By 2022, Texas’ hemp industry was valued at $8 billion, supporting an estimated 50,000 jobs. Given its continued growth, projections suggest it could exceed $10–15 billion in 2025.
While Sen. Perry views these developments negatively, the industry's adaptability has driven economic growth, job creation, and expanded consumer access to safe, regulated products.
Texas Senator Charles Perry