TEXAS — The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened a public hearing on July 7, 2026, to gather information regarding THC products. This hearing was held in advance of State Senator Charles Perry's announced legislative effort to ban consumable hemp-derived THC products.

No decision was made during the hearing, as its purpose was solely for analysis. Senator Perry confirmed he plans to file a bill to ban consumable hemp products during the upcoming legislative session.

Invited members were permitted to speak at the hearing, but a general public comment period was not allowed. Five experts, called by committee members, expressed views against THC products. "Nancy (Regan) is the one who started the war on drugs; she was made fun of, and still is today. But you know, she was right. She saw the big picture of how this stuff is so insidious and gets into every fiber of society and every element of family," Senator Perry stated.

Allen Police Chief Steve Dye and Aubree Adams, director of Citizens for Safe and Healthy Texas, were among the invited speakers. Adams stated, "They call fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. I disagree. Fentanyl is a weapon of mass death. THC is a weapon of mass destruction, causing chemical injuries to the brain from the body."

Dr. Matthew Rossheim, an associate professor at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, also spoke at the hearing. Rossheim said, "When products became easier to obtain, more people used them, and when more people use them, more people are harmed by them."

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst cited data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, indicating that 1,559 children tested positive for THC at birth in fiscal year 2024, and 1,896 children tested positive in fiscal year 2025. "I have faith that we can find solutions that will improve our state's public health and safety, while also respecting the dignity of every Texan who has lost their way due to the fog of mental illness and substance abuse," she said.

Katharine Neill Harris, a drug policy fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, also participated in the hearing. Harris explained, "For example, THC can increase the risk for psychosis or psychotic episodes in those who are predisposed to or have a history of such conditions. This is different from saying that THC causes psychosis in an otherwise healthy individual." She added, "Prevention is ideal. When substance use disorders can't be prevented, early treatment is the next best option."

The Texas Department of State Health Services implemented new regulations for consumable hemp-derived THC products on March 31, 2026. These regulations mandate child-resistant packaging, increased licensing fees, new labeling, testing, and bookkeeping requirements. The legal purchasing age for hemp-derived THC products was codified at 21 years old under these regulations. Laboratory tests now measure the total amount of THC in a product, with products exceeding the 0.3% threshold deemed noncompliant, even if activation occurs only upon smoking. THCA flower and pre-rolled joints have been banned. Licensing fees for manufacturers increased from $258 to $10,000 per facility, and retail registration fees rose from $155 to $5,000. Senator Perry previously stated, "The cost of doing business is going to get so high that most of them will go out of business, I hope."