Texan CEO Warns Attempted THC Ban Could Knock Out Booming Cannabis Industry
Chief Executive of Cannabis Company Advocates for Texas Governor to Veto Comprehensive THC Ban, Pushing for Regulations instead
In a recent appeal, Peter Barsoom, CEO and co-founder of innovative cannabis company, 1906, is urging Gov. Greg Abbott to reconsider a potential THC ban that's currently on the table. This proposed legislation, awaiting the governor's signature, could criminalize THC products, including vapes, gummies, and drinks, in Texas.
The bill would create three third-degree felony offenses for manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver certain consumable hemp products, false lab reports, and manufacturing or selling without a license or registration. It also establishes lesser offenses, some of which may lead to jail time and fines.
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While consumable hemp products with any synthetic cannabinoid would be banned, non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive CBD and CBG would remain legal. Medical cannabis, prescribed to individuals with specific conditions under Texas’ current program, would likely remain accessible as well.
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Barsoom is challenging Abbott, maintaining that the proposed legislation fails to address the needs and desires of consumers, including veterans, diagnosing it as an attempt to ignore their choice of hemp for daily wellness.
When questioned on the efficacy of traditional pain medication substitutes like Advil or Tylenol, Barsoom highlighted the experiences of those who have discovered that cannabis products work better for their chronic pain, citing science, consumer experience, and anecdotal evidence.
""We're not saying it's better for every single person. What we believe is that consumers should have a wide array of choices - from pharmaceuticals to over-the-counter remedies to cannabis solutions, so that they can be empowered to decide what works best with their body." Barsoom to FOX Business."
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Barsoom also criticizes the Texas legislature's approach to the THC ban, suggesting that it represents an overreaction driven by pressure from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Patrick has emphasized the issue as a top priority, claiming his focus is to "save an entire generation from being hooked on drugs." He also accused the media of minimizing the issue.
Critics argue that the proposed THC ban, if enacted, will result in economic harm for small businesses, lead to significant job losses, and undermine a thriving sector of the Texas economy. Moreover, restricting legal THC products might drive consumption underground, making it more difficult for authorities to regulate product safety and quality.
Additionally, the ban could limit medical options for those who may benefit from broader access to cannabis-derived treatments, disproportionately affect marginalized communities, and unnecessarily criminalize law-abiding citizens. Undermining adult consumer choice in a previously legal and regulated market is another area of contention.
Overall, the proposed THC ban signifies a drastic change in Texas' cannabis landscape, with potential economic, legal, and social repercussions that are widely debated among industry stakeholders, consumers, and policymakers.
- The proposed THC ban in Texas, if enacted, could significantly impact the state's economy, potentially leading to job losses for small businesses and harming a thriving sector of the economy.
- In the debate over the THC ban, science, consumer experience, and anecdotal evidence suggest that cannabis products might offer health-and-wellness benefits for some people, which could be limited if legal THC products are restricted.
