Texas THC ban proposal dead after lawmakers couldn't agree

Catch up quick: Since 2024, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has pressured lawmakers to ban consumable THC products, including chemical variants like delta-8 THC legalized in Texas' 2019 farm bill.

• After a bill banning THC passed both the Texas Senate and House earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the effort and called for more regulation on the industry instead of an outright ban. He asked lawmakers to adress the issue during two special sessions this summer.

The latest: Patrick wrote on X Wednesday evening that lawmakers couldn't come to an agreement on legislation during the second special legislative session, adding that the Senate would adjourn after passing bills addressing the July 4 floods.

The intrigue: The latest THC legislation, Senate Bill 6, sought to outlaw chemical variants of hemp-derived THC in consumable products like edibles and traditional bud. That includes delta-8 THC, which provides a similar high to traditional weed.

• The bill proposed to keep non-intoxicating levels of hemp-derived THC (below 0.3%) and CBD/CBG legal.

The Texas Senate passed SB 6 on Aug. 19 and sent it to the House Public Health committee for consideration Aug. 20, but it never got a hearing.

What they're saying: "My position remains unchanged; the Senate and I are for a total THC ban," Patrick wrote on X.

What's next: Lawmakers may bring up the measure again in a future legislative session.

Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout with new information.