Sen. Perry Vows New THC Crackdown: What The Latest Texas Hearing Revealed

Texas lawmakers are preparing for another effort to restrict consumable THC products, with a key Senate committee hearing testimony Tuesday on the health and public safety impacts of hemp-derived products ahead of the 2027 legislative session.

The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened the hearing to examine issues including health care costs, mental health emergency detentions, and the potential link between THC use and psychotic disorders.

No public testimony was allowed. Instead, lawmakers heard from invited law enforcement officials, physicians, and state health officials, many of whom raised concerns about products currently sold in retail stores across Texas.

Concerns Over Product Potency and Public Health

Allen Police Chief Steve Dye testified that testing conducted by certified laboratories has frequently found THC concentrations exceeding what is listed on product labels.

“When we’ve actually seized and filed criminal charges and tested products in a certified lab, we’ve found that more times than not, the content of THC is far greater than what’s on the label,” Dye said, Fox 4 KDFW reported. “The labeling has rarely matched up with the actual concentration of THC in the products we’ve seized.”

Dr. Dominic Lucia, chief medical officer at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center, told lawmakers that THC-related medical emergencies have increased significantly in recent years.

“Poison center calls for THC increased sharply from 700 in 2018 to more than 2600 calls in 2025,” Lucia said, per Fox 4. “Emergency department visits related to THC have also demonstrated an alarming and significant rise over the past several years. At my pediatric hospital, cannabis overdoses have more than quadrupled from 2021 to 2025.”

Lucia said cannabis overdose visits within the Baylor Scott & White Health system increased from 348 cases in 2021 to more than 900 in 2025.

Dr. Manda Hall, deputy commissioner for Community Health Improvement at the Texas Department of State Health Services, said the Texas Poison Center Network recorded more than 10,000 THC-related exposure calls between January 2021 and May 2026, with more than half involving individuals 19 years old or younger.

University of North Texas Health Science Center associate professor Dr. Matthew Rossheim also testified that increased retail availability has contributed to greater use and more adverse health outcomes.

“When products became easier to obtain, more people used them, and when more people use them, more people are harmed by them,” Rossheim said, per KVUE.

Perry Plans New THC Legislation

Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), vice chair of the committee and author of Senate Bill 3 during the 2025 legislative session, announced he intends to file another bill targeting consumable THC products when lawmakers return in January 2027.

SB 3 would have prohibited the retail sale of consumable hemp products containing detectable amounts of THC. Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the legislation, instead directing state agencies to strengthen regulation of the hemp industry.

Referring to the hemp industry’s arguments in favor of regulation, Perry told lawmakers, per Fox 4, “Do not fall into the trap. This is a minor issue. It’s a false narrative, but this industry is known for false narratives. Everything they speak to is pretty much untrue.”

He also criticized legal challenges filed by hemp businesses.

“They know they are going to get laws passed against them, and then they sue and tie it up for decades, so they can expand their addiction and trap more people in it. That’s their MO,” Perry said.

During the hearing, Perry said he hopes increased licensing fees and enforcement efforts will make it more difficult for hemp businesses to operate.

Current Hemp Regulations

Following Abbott’s veto of SB 3, the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted new regulations governing consumable hemp products.

Beginning March 31, laboratories were required to measure total THC concentration in products. Any product exceeding the state’s 0.3% THC threshold, including after heating or smoking, is considered noncompliant.

The regulations also implemented higher licensing fees, new packaging and labeling requirements, expanded testing standards and inspections, and reinforced the state’s minimum purchasing age of 21.

The hemp industry has challenged the rules in court, arguing that they could eliminate many products from the market. The state is appealing a court ruling that would allow those products to remain available while litigation continues.

Industry Pushes Back

Hemp industry representatives disputed many of the claims made during Tuesday’s hearing.

Lucas Gilkey, speaking in a video posted by Austin-based Hometown Hero on X, said the hearing reflected continued efforts to eliminate legal hemp products rather than regulate them.

“It was sort of the usual Senate, what we’re accustomed to, with them really knocking on hemp, saying all these products need to be banned and how it’s harming Texans,” Gilkey said, per Fox 4. “Which is really unfortunate because we all know the number of veterans and people these products help.”

The Texas Hemp Business Council also urged lawmakers to rely on scientific evidence rather than prohibition.

“Policymakers should evaluate hemp-derived products through the same evidence-based framework applied to other public health issues,” the council said in a statement, Fox 4 reported. “These products are already subject to testing, labeling, licensing, inspections and enforcement requirements. The available evidence does not support sweeping restrictions or prohibition.”

The organization warned that banning legal hemp products would likely shift consumers to unregulated markets.

“History has shown that prohibition does not eliminate consumer demand, it drives consumers into unregulated markets with fewer safeguards and greater risks,” the statement said. “THBC urges lawmakers to pursue balanced policies that protect consumers, maintain a regulated marketplace, and focus state resources on the public health challenges that have the greatest impact on Texans.”

No Action Taken

Tuesday’s hearing was informational only, and no votes were taken.

Any legislation aimed at restricting or banning consumable THC products will have to be filed during the 2027 legislative session, which begins in January.

For additional articles surrounding THC in the state, see The Dallas Express’ coverage below:

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