Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is trying to reassure Texas hemp farmers that their livelihoods are not at risk after state lawmakers last week approved an outright ban on THC products, even those containing cannabinoids from federally legal hemp plants.
“Texas farmers are worried about the effects of Senate Bill 3 on the hemp industry,” Miller said in a statement released on Friday.
“This legislation does not ban growing hemp or planting hemp for biomass. It’s a targeted effort to crack down on abuse of THC in the retail sector, not a ban on legitimate hemp farming. We have maintained constant communication with the Legislature to ensure the voices of our growers are heard and that essential protection for Texas producers stays in place.” – Miller, in a statement.
The proposal to ban THC statewide in Texas — a policy that was championed by Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick (R) — attracted hundreds of activists to the state Capitol this month in protest of the policy. If signed into law by the governor, the policy would prohibit the sale of any products containing delta-8 or delta-9 THC, or any other cannabinoids except CBD or CBG.
“We have maintained constant communication with the Legislature to ensure the voices of our growers are heard and that essential protection for Texas producers stays in place,” Miller wrote.
“I’ve been in contact with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and I am committed to ensuring our farmers can continue to grow hemp without unnecessary interference.”
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