Texas votes to outlaw most hemp products, potentially crippling market [View all]

By MONA ZHANG
05/22/2025 06:32 PM EDT

Texas is poised to decimate the state’s booming multibillion-dollar hemp industry.

The state House voted to ban almost all hemp products Wednesday, which would deal a crippling blow to an industry that’s spawned more than 8,000 licensed shops and employs tens of thousands of workers. Emphasis mine.

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The vote was a stunning reversal for the House after it advanced legislation that sought to regulate — rather than ban — intoxicating hemp products. The state’s hemp industry had looked to the chamber as an ally after Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made it one of his top legislative priorities to crack down on the burgeoning, loosely regulated market for intoxicating products, arguing that it presents a major public health threat.

Patrick vowed that he would not compromise on anything besides an outright ban on THC and other intoxicating compounds, threatening to hold up other legislation from the House.

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I use a CBD lotion on my arthritic hands because I cannot take NSAIDS due to another condition.

This lotion allows me to go about my day with reduced pain. I also use it on my poor ole knees.

How is this not a good thing?