URGENT CALL TO ACTION ON MEDICAL CANNABIS

FROM TXNORML CALL TO ACTION: 7 Days Left In Session: What You Can Do to Help

Medical Cannabis (HB 1535) 

HB 1535, authored by Rep. Stephanie Klick, would expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program and qualify more patients for medical cannabis. This bill passed out of the House with strong support (134-12), has bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate and has been referred to the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs after our previous phone call campaign. It must have a hearing immediately in order to make it to the Governor’s desk.

The bill was referred to committee, why hasn’t it been heard?

To hold a hearing and vote on HB 1535 at this time will require a suspension of the Senate business rules (a normal occurrence) which requires approval by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Only he can allow the committee to take the time to hear and vote on this bill.

Join us for a Medical Cannabis Call Campaign on Monday the 24th starting at 8am! Time is short and Texas patients need this important legislation. Starting at 8am, call the Lt. Gov. and YOUR Senator. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: 512-463-0001 AND IF YOU ALREADY KNOW YOUR SENATOR CLICK HERE FOR THEIR PH #

Please CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR! If you don’t know who it is, you can identify your Texas State Senator and their Capitol office phone number here.

What to say: “I am (name) calling about HB 1535. Please ensure that this legislation has a hearing and is voted on quickly. We cannot leave Texas patients behind this session.”

Concentrates Penalty Reduction (HB 2593)

HB 2593 has passed both the House (108-33) and Senate (24-7). This legislation reduces the penalty for 2 ounces of THC concentrates from a felony to a Class B misdemeanor. An amendment was added in the Senate which requires the legislation to be reconciled with the House before heading to the governor’s desk.

The amendment further clarifies that hemp is not included in the controlled substance list while also setting the total THC for hemp and its products at 0.3 percent. This may affect the Delta-8 market. Learn more about Delta-8, the amendment, and what comes next.

This change in the law could affect hundreds (if not thousands) of businesses and their customers. If Delta-8 products are important to your business or they have helped you in any way, we encourage you to reach out to your Texas Senator. ​Identify your Texas State Senator and their Capitol contact here​.

Hemp (HB 3948) 

HB 3948 passed out of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs with a vote of 8-0. This bill establishes a hemp research program and cleans up some language in the statute. This bill contains the same amendment which was added to HB 2593 regarding Delta-8. The bill is currently on the intent calendar fir the Senate Floor. If there is any discrepancy between the House and Senate versions, it will go to a conference committee for negotiation on the final draft before arriving on the governor’s desk.

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