Veterans In Texas Want Hemp, Delta-8 Access But Are Hindered By State Restrictions

In Texas, veterans are working to protect the state’s hemp market while lawmakers seek to limit access to delta-8 and other edibles hemp products.

Delta-8 THC, a chemical component of the cannabis plant, occurs naturally in very small concentrations. It can produce a mild psychoactive effect in some people similar to delta-9 THC.

Republican Senator Charles Perry seeks to introduce Senate Bill 264 in the next House session, which would ban THC of synthetic origin and effectively end the state's market for edible delta-8 hemp, reported The Texas Tribune.

"Texas is home to an estimated 1.5 million veterans. Those with illnesses who are seeking alternatives to traditional medicine should work to update the state’s medical marijuana program," Perry said. The Compassionate Use Program is a 2015 measure that allows residents to consume so-called low-THC products that contain .3% or .5% THC with a physician's recommendation.

On their part, veterans are asking for access to these hemp products to treat issues such as chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Additionally, 82% of Texans support cannabis legalization for medical purposes, according to a recent poll published by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston.

Background: Texas legalized hemp production following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill in the U.S. Congress. On June 10, 2019, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law House Bill 1325 making industrial hemp legal in the state.

Interest in delta-8 THC products is on the rise, according to a report by marijuana analytics company Brightfield Group. Demand for these hemp-derived products has skyrocketed over the past two years with sales exceeding fully $2 billion.

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Photo: Courtesy Of Felipe Vieira On Unsplash