Understanding Texas Senate Bill 3 (SB 3): Implications for the Hemp and Cannabis Industry
- Chasity Wedgeworth
- Mar 5
- 4 min read
The Texas Legislature is currently deliberating Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), a proposal that seeks to significantly alter the landscape of hemp and cannabis products within the state. This bill has garnered substantial attention due to its potential to ban all consumable products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
Key Provisions of SB 3
Introduced by Senator Charles Perry, SB 3 aims to:
Ban Consumable THC Products: The bill proposes a prohibition on all consumable products containing any amount of THC, including popular hemp-derived cannabinoids such as Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC.
Restrict Approved Cannabinoids: Under SB 3, only cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) would be permitted in consumable hemp products, effectively eliminating a range of other cannabinoids from the market.
Implement Age Restrictions: The bill includes measures to prevent individuals under 21 from accessing hemp products, aiming to address concerns about youth consumption.
The Hemp Industry Has Always Pushed for Regulation—The State Has Failed to Act
For years, the hemp industry has asked for clear regulations—we want accurate lab testing, age restrictions, and consumer safety measures. But while responsible business owners like myself have taken it upon ourselves to self-regulate, adopting best practices from legal states, the state of Texas has failed to provide any real guidance or structure.
Now, instead of taking responsibility for the lack of clear laws, Texas lawmakers are placing the blame on businesses that have done their due diligence. The truth is, those who acted recklessly were operating in an environment with no defined rules—not because of negligence on our part, but because the state never established them.
If Texas had stepped up and implemented reasonable regulations, we wouldn’t be in this position today. Instead of banning an industry that provides jobs, tax revenue, and safe access to hemp-derived products, the state should finally do what we've been asking for all along—regulate, don’t eliminate.
Potential Impact of SB 3 on Texas and the Cannabis Industry
If SB 3 passes, the consequences for Texas’ hemp and cannabis industry would be devastating. Over 45,000 Texans would lose their jobs, and more than 8,700 businesses, including Bud & Blooms Apothecary, would be forced to shut down. Thousands of Texans who rely on hemp-derived products for medicinal or recreational use would suddenly lose access to the natural remedies they depend on.
Beyond individual consumers, the bill's strict limitations are scientifically unfeasible. There are no strains of Cannabis Sativa L. that produce only CBD and CBG without trace amounts of other cannabinoids, making it impossible to meet SB 3’s requirements through natural cultivation. Additionally, producing an isolate that adheres to these restrictions is not viable, meaning that legal hemp products as they exist today would cease to exist in Texas.
The economic fallout would be catastrophic. Shutting down the hemp industry would create a domino effect—eliminating jobs, harming small businesses, and stripping millions of dollars from the local economy. Texas’ farmers, retailers, and wellness advocates would be left without a market, all while consumers are forced to seek alternatives out of state or through unregulated sources.
This is more than just a legislative change—it’s an attack on a thriving, legal industry that supports Texans' health, jobs, and local economies.
The Unintended Consequences of SB 3: A Dangerous Shift to the Black Market
If SB 3 passes, it won’t eliminate demand for hemp-derived products—it will only push consumers toward unregulated, out-of-state sources, fueling the black market. Without access to legal, lab-tested products, Texans will be forced to take risks with unverified, potentially dangerous alternatives.
Even the State of Texas has testified that it lacks the resources to regulate the current industry, so how can it possibly enforce a full ban? History has shown that prohibition doesn’t stop a market—it simply drives it underground. When legal businesses shut down, bad actors step in, selling untested and potentially harmful products with no accountability.
The solution isn’t prohibition; it’s regulation and education. By creating clear, enforceable rules and educating both businesses and consumers, we can ensure safety, transparency, and economic stability. The best way forward is not to eliminate the industry, but to regulate it properly—because when there are no rules, only the black market wins.
How You Can Help
Engagement and advocacy are crucial in shaping the outcome of SB 3:
Stay Informed: Regularly monitor updates on SB 3 through reputable news sources and official legislative channels.
Participate in Public Hearings: Attend or provide testimony at public hearings to voice your perspectives and concerns.
Contact Legislators: Reach out to your state representatives to express your stance on SB 3, emphasizing how it may affect you and the broader community.
Collaborate with Advocacy Groups: Join organizations that support the hemp and cannabis industry to amplify collective efforts against restrictive measures.
By staying engaged and proactive, we can collectively influence the legislative process to ensure fair and informed regulations that support both industry growth and consumer safety.
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