Texas House Bill 5, which would ban hemp-derived THC products statewide, is set for a public hearing tomorrow in the House Health Committee.
The hearing will take place at 9am in room E2.030. The proposal is the companion to Senate Bill 5, which has already passed the Senate and is now moving through the House process.
Filed by State Senator Charles Perry (R), the HB 5 would outlaw consumable hemp items containing cannabinoids other than CBD and CBG, effectively banning products such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC, as well as other cannabinoids such as CBN. The measure also places strict limits on the hemp and CBD industries, including prohibiting mail delivery, restricting sales near schools, banning packaging aimed at minors, and setting a purchase age of 21 or older.
In addition, the bill calls for steep new fees: $20,000 annually for each retail location, $10,000 per manufacturing site, and $500 per product registration, with each item also required to carry a QR code linking to lab results and product images for law enforcement. Penalties for violations range from a Class C misdemeanor for possession to a third-degree felony for manufacturing or distribution.
Governor Greg Abbott vetoed similar legislation earlier this year but has since voiced support for a hemp THC ban, making his signature far more likely if the bill reaches his desk.
However, the full House vote on HB 5 or SB 5 will remain stalled even if it clears the committee. Dozens of House Democrats remain out of state in protest over Republican-led redistricting plans, preventing the chamber from reaching quorum. Until lawmakers return, the ban cannot advance to the governor, despite momentum from the Senate’s approval.
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