It has been a very busy week for marijuana law reform at the Texas State Capitol Building. One bill is making its way through the Senate, three bills were voted out of the House, and others are moving through the process on the House side. Here is where we stand:
Wednesday: HB 2593 passed the Texas House by a vote of 108 to 33. HB 2593, authored by Speaker Pro Tempore Joe Moody, would reduce possession of 2oz of THC concentrates from a felony to a class B misdemeanor. It now heads to the Senate where the Lt Gov will assign it to a committee.
Thursday: HB 1535 passed the Texas House by a vote of 134 to 12. As amended, this legislation would add Cancer, Chronic Pain, and PTSD while allowing the Department of State Health Services to add new qualifying conditions through their administrative rule-making process. HB 1535 would also raise the THC cap to 5% and create “Institutional Review Boards” which will facilitate research and track the impact of medical cannabis on patients participating in the program. It now heads to the Senate where the Lt Gov will assign it to a committee.
Friday: HB 441 passed the Texas House by a vote of 88 to 40. HB 441 would reduce penalties for possession of 1 ounce or less to Class C while disallowing arrests and setting up an expunction process. It now heads to the Senate where the Lt Gov will assign it to a committee.
Other Important Bills on the Move:
- HB 99 would reduce penalties for possession of 2oz or less, disallows arrests, and prevents suspension of drivers license. This bill is in Calendars waiting to be scheduled on the House floor.
- HB 567 would enshrine parental protections. This bill has passed the House and the Senate!
- HB 1178 would remove possession of paraphernalia from the criminal code. This bill is in Calendars waiting to be scheduled on the House floor.
- HB 4307 would create insurance coverage for low-THC cannabis under certain group benefit plans for governmental employees. This bill is scheduled for House Local and Consent Calendar.
- HB 3948 focuses on the regulation and production of hemp and consumable hemp products in Texas. This bill provides administrative penalties, imposes and authorizes fees, and creates criminal offenses. Additionally, the bill covers higher institutions, permissible THC content, additives, synthetics, and more. This bill is scheduled for debate on the House floor on 5/3/21
- HB 3772 would reduce penalties associated with the possession of cannabis flower and concentrates as well as paraphernalia while allowing for expunction of any arrest record. This bill is in the process of enrolling in Calendars where it will be scheduled for discussion on the House floor.
Click here for a visual of the moving bills, what they do, and their status. Full list of filed bills can be found here.