medical marijuana

Some Texas lawmakers are contemplating a statewide ban on Delta 8 and 9. These hemp-derived products can produce a marijuana-like high and are currently legally available to purchase in Texas. So are they life-saving medications or a serious threat to public health? On Wednesday, dozens testified for or against a ban before a Texas Senate committee.

It’s now been two years since New Mexico legalized recreational cannabis, and sales data shows Texans are helping what’s become a multi-million-dollar industry for the state. Despite that, Texas lawmakers seem even farther from approving any sort of marijuana reform than they were just a few years ago.

Pro-pot lobbyists say Texas leaders’ attitude toward marijuana has shifted in recent years, but work remains on loosening rules.

The bipartisan legislation is an expansion on the state’s 2015 “Compassionate Use” law, which has allowed a growing number of patients to legally use cannabis to treat debilitating symptoms of conditions such as epilepsy, autism, cancer and PTSD.

Medical cannabis and penalty reduction are among several marijuana measures in the 88th regular session.

Voters in several Texas cities passed decriminalization ordinances last month, leaving some local officials concerned about violating state law.

The announcement of the pardons comes as polling indicates a majority of Texans support legalizing marijuana in some form. But Abbott's office said the state won't take advice from the Biden administration.

Reporters from The Texas Newsroom partner stations broke down some of the key items.

Gov. Abbott is expected to sign HB 1535, which increases slightly the amount of THC allowed in medical marijuana and adds more medical conditions to the eligibility list for the program.

House Bill 1535 would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans with post-traumatic stress disorder. But it hasn’t yet been referred to a Senate committee.

The program would be expanded for a number of conditions including chronic pain and PTSD — as well as allow for more potent levels of THC.

While Texas is far behind when it comes to legalization of any currently illicit drug, Katharine Neill Harris, a drug policy fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, tells Texas Standard that that could change in the upcoming legislative session as Texas learns from the growing number of states where pot is legal.