February 17, 2025
In recent years (and certainly during the last political cycle) the United States hasexperienced a growing shift, and overall desire for natural products, with an increasingnumber of people seeking alternatives to processed foods, beverages, and man-mademedicines.
This movement towards holistic choices preceded the more recent MAHA (Make AmericaHealthy Again) campaign, made popular by Robert F. Kennedy, who has been undergoinghearings to become the nation’s top health official as Secretary of The United States Healthand Human Services agency.In an era where processed foods, drinks, and synthetic medicines have dominated, there isa rising popularity of plant-based solutions, as well as a nationwide effort to restore vitalityby regaining a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. In its most elemental form MAHA seeksto empower individuals to take control of their lives by embracing organic, plant-based, andholistic approaches.
Hemp, a versatile plant with nutritional, health, and industrial benefits, is emblematic ofthat significant shift towards more natural lifestyles, offering the least amount of THC fromthe cannabis plant, along with high concentrations of CBD, omega fatty acids, fiber andprotein.
Recent misrepresentations of hemp (again by definition delivering the least amount ofpsychoactive compound THC than any other offering) are reminiscent of an equally out oftouch 1930’s exploitation film “Reefer Madness”. The movie’s premise revolves aroundmelodramatic events after high school students are introduced to marijuana. Decadeslater, the film is now only referenced and enjoyed as a campy parody for laughs.Although SB 3 has yet to be released (as of this writing) it is no laughing matter, and it toowould seem to suffer from the same, out of step relationship with today’s reality. If the stateof Texas suffers from a “THC problem” it is only logical to deduce that the problem isderived from sources containing large amounts of THC- not the product with the lowestamount. Anything being offered as hemp but surpassing the .03 percent THC by dry weight,by definition, is marijuana and not hemp. So, if Texas has a THC problem it is due in part tounscrupulous sellers seeking to circumvent existing laws- not the 8,000 licensed hempconcerns seeking to adhere to it.
Admittedly, the state of Texas has an enforcement problem with perhaps up to eight agentsseeking to enforce existing laws surrounding licensing, quality control, and compliance
checks. Additionally, hemp should be available only as intended: for responsible, adultuse. We need to refine regulations and pass similar product restrictions, akin to thoseapplied to alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine.
Any thought of prohibiting the product outright should be met with caution. In age of e-commerce and a historically mobile populace, the thought of eliminating the product
altogether seems fanciful. Afterall, a similar attempt to make alcohol illegal in the UnitedStates is now often referred to as the “Failed Noble Experiment”. From 1920-1933 theUnited States saw crime, sickness and deaths climb as black-market alcohol hit thestreets to satisfy the public’s thirst. Today the transport of any product is easier than ever,as out-of-state and overseas internet concerns would prosper under any prohibition, whileTexas businesses would be shuttered and over 50,000 industry jobs lost. Bootlegged andblack-market products raise the specter of a true public health concern: fentanylpoisoning.
I remain optimistic that our legislative leaders will ultimately embrace MAHA by allowingTexans to make individual choices in pursuing healthier lifestyles and rejecting the dated,misplaced mindset of Reefer Madness.
Keep in mind how proud (and rightfully so) our legislative leaders are of the “Texas Miracle”:the Lone Star State has been recognized as the Best State for Business for 20 years! It haswon the prestigious Governor’s Cup 12 years in a row for being the most job-creatingcorporate location or place to expand existing businesses. Based on federal and statelegalization of hemp, it has grown year-over- year and was valued at being an $8 billionindustry in 2022. Hemp industry owners are part of the 3.2 million small businesses thatemploy nearly half of all working Texans. As our legislative leaders like to say they, smallbusiness is the backbone of our state’s economy.
In closing- further, thoughtful regulations to protect the consuming public, by restrictingaccess to adults, and ensuring those who wish to purchase the product are doing sothrough duly licensed, regulated, law-abiding businesses, will serve Texas best. I lookforward to the state winning its 13th Governor’s Cup in a row, and the hemp industry being apart of that calculation.
Mark BordasExecutive DirectorTexas Hemp Business Council02/13/25
Comments