Take Legislative Action
88th Texas Legislative session
The Texas Hemp Coalition’s tenant “advocacy” was carried out during this past session as we continued to fight for the industry to continue that it prospers into the future. It takes an industry, we need your help.
Make sure you continue to reach out to your State Representative and Senator to express your support and voice your concerns for the hemp industry in Texas. Your position is important to them and to us!
Stay updated for more information as we prepare for hearings, meetings and happenings in our State Capitol next session.
federal & State
legislative priorities
Protect all cannabinoids for consumable hemp products.
Ensure that retailers and manufactures are protected for future cannabinoid products for market.
Advance regulatory efforts towards legalizing hemp feed as a protein for animals for human consumption.
Urge FDA to Regulate CBD as a Dietary Supplement.
Protect and fight for farmers to have a more efficient program.
Update legislation to reflect changes from USDA rules.
Passage of a 2024 Farm Bill to reflect a more industry supported hemp program.
Give agencies the ability to update statute per the 2024 Farm Bill.
Texas Legislation
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Senate State Affairs Interim Charge
May 29, 2024 at 9am
Banning Delta 8 and 9: Examine the sale of intoxicating hemp products in Texas. Make recommendations to further regulate the sale of these products, and suggest legislation to stop retailers who market these products to children.
Federal Legislation
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H.R. 6645: The Hemp Advancement Act of 2022
By Rep. Chellie Pingree
The Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 would help make it easier and more profitable for U.S. farmers to grow hemp, while ensuring that consumers of hemp are protected against unsafe products. Further, aspiring hemp farmers who have made mistakes in their past but have paid time for their transgressions are barred from growing a safe and promising crop. If passed, The Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 would —
(1) Raise the legal THC threshold for hemp in the field from 0.3% delta-9 THC to 1.0% total THC, providing farmers with needed flexibility to avoid having to destroy fields of “hot” hemp (hemp material that tests above the legal THC threshold)
(2) Revise the legal THC threshold for consumable hemp products from 0.3 % delta-9 THC to 0.3% total THC, providing separate regulatory pathways for non-intoxicating hemp and intoxicating adult-use cannabis products
(3) Provide additional protections for the processing and transportation of “hot” hemp
(4) Remove the DEA monopoly on registering laboratories for testing hemp
(5) Repeal the controversial drug felon ban which prevents most persons with a felony drug-related conviction from obtaining a hemp license -
SAFE Banking Act
By Rep. Ed Perlmutter
The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act would protect institutions administering financial services to all legal cannabis businesses by preventing any penalization from federal regulators. Lead bill sponsor, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) has worked closely with Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) to ensure the SAFE Banking Act would explicitly protect individuals or companies operating in the hemp or CBD space. Although the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp, many farmers and business owners involved in the industry continue to have trouble finding financial institutions that will work with them—especially when it comes to cannabidiol (CBD) businesses.
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The Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021
By Rep. Kurt Schrader
H.R. 841 would ensure that hemp-derived CBD, and other non-intoxicating hemp ingredients, could be lawfully marketed as dietary supplements. The bill would require CBD and hemp extract product manufacturers to comply with the entire existing comprehensive regulatory framework for dietary supplements, which ensures that the products are deemed safe, properly labeled, and prepared utilizing Good Manufacturing Practices. Passage would also help stabilize the hemp markets, open up a promising economic opportunity for U.S. agriculture and honor our commitment made to farmers in the 2018 Farm Bill.
how to reach out to lawmakers
As a constituent, business owner or advocate it is very important for you to contact lawmakers to express your concerns and support for legislation. You vote for those elected officials so it is very important that they hear from their own constituents.
Call Lawmakers
It is preferred to call your lawmakers to make first contact with their staff member in charge of the issue. Here is an example of a script for how to call your lawmaker:
“Hello, my name is (your name) calling from (city). I’m a member of the Texas Hemp Coalition. I’d like to speak with the staff member over hemp policy.
The reason for my call is to support/my concerns (bill number or issue). I feel that (bill number or issue) is important to me because (fill in reason).
I appreciate your time and look forward to being a resource as a constituent in your district. Thank you again and have a wonderful day.”
Send a Letter or Email Lawmakers
After a call, it is appropriate to send a follow up email to the staffer or lawmaker. Use this script for how to email your lawmaker:
“Dear Senator/Representative (Insert Last Name):
My name is (your name) and I reside in (city), Texas. I am a member of the Texas Hemp Coalition. I am writing you to ask that (insert suggestion) .
(Be specific with your suggestion, idea or request. If you are writing about a specific Bill, include the Bill Number - for example, HB. 111 or. SB 111)
I appreciate your help and ask that you please send me a response letting me know if you are able to pass a support a Bill that would help ensure the future success of the hemp industry in Texas.
Thank you for your time and considering my request.
Sincerely,
(your name)”
Below is a link to connect with your local lawmakers.