A sweeping cannabis legalization bill was prefiled in the Texas House of Representatives yesterday by State Representative Jessica Gonzalez, seeking to authorize and regulate the cultivation, sale, and use of cannabis for those 21 and older.
House Bill 1208 proposes a legal framework for managing various aspects of the cannabis industry, from licensing and taxation to product safety standards.
If passed, the bill would allow licensed businesses, or “cannabis establishments,” to grow, process, test, and sell cannabis products within the state, while individuals over 21 would be permitted to possess and use cannabis legally, with the limit set at 2.5 ounces of dried flower and 15 grams of concentrates.
Under the proposed legislation, local governments would have an active role in cannabis oversight and would receive funding assistance to cover regulatory costs. A special “cannabis establishment regulation and oversight” account would be created in the state’s general revenue fund to finance local government efforts, enabling municipalities and counties with licensed cannabis businesses to offset enforcement and regulatory expenses.
Additionally, the bill outlines strict conflict-of-interest policies, prohibiting those involved in regulatory administration from holding financial stakes in cannabis businesses. License holders in the industry would also face restrictions, limiting ownership interests across multiple cannabis entities to prevent monopolistic control.
This bill marks a significant effort by Rep. Gonzalez and other proponents to align Texas with other states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use. Texas currently allows limited cannabis use for certain medical conditions, and supporters argue that broader legalization could provide substantial tax revenue while also helping to reduce non-violent drug arrests across the state.
Also yesterday, Senator Jose Menendez introduced legislation that would legalize medical marijuana, including establishing a framework of regulated medical marijuana businesses.
A separate medical marijuana bill, Senate Bill 259, was also filed yesterday by Senator Carol Alvarado. For the full text of the bill, click here.
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