Texas lawmakers will continue to consider rules to regulate intoxicating hemp products in another special session announced this week by Gov. Greg Abbott (R). In the current session, lawmakers have been unable to pass any legislation due to a stunt by Democratic lawmakers to block voting on a Republican redistricting plan aimed at gaining seats in the House of Representatives. Abbott said he is calling the next session “immediately.”
“With the Texas House and Senate today announcing they are prepared to sine die on Friday, I will call the Texas Legislature back immediately for Special Session #2. The Special Session #2 agenda will have the exact same agenda, with the potential to add more items critical to Texans. There will be no reprieve for the derelict Democrats who fled the state and abandoned their duty to the people who elected them. I will continue to call special session after special session until we get this Texas first agenda passed.” — Abbott, in a statement
Earlier this year, Texas lawmakers approved a bill to heavily restrict — and effectively destroy — the popular hemp products industry. The governor, however, facing heavy pressure from hemp businesses and consumers, vetoed the bill when it reached his desk, calling a special legislative session to address hemp product regulations and other issues.
Last month, the Texas Senate passed another proposal that, like the vetoed bill, seeks to ban most consumable hemp products. Lawmakers in the House Public Health Committee considered the bill on Wednesday despite the chamber’s inability to move forward.
Meanwhile, a recent poll found nearly 80% public support for keeping hemp products available in Texas.
