Honorable Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick,
I am a full-time college student employed by a locally owned small business. We have about eight employees and for some it is a second or even third job. We are one of the top independent legal cannabis companies in the entire nation.
Cannabis sourced from hemp that contains less than 0.03% THC has been federally legal in all 50 states since 2018 when the Agricultural Improvement Act received bipartisan support in the House and Senate, passed through Congress, and was signed into law by President Trump.
Cloaked as a measure for proper oversight and consumer safety, your proposed Texas Senate Bill 3, will actually devastate and all but exterminate a burgeoning industry by limiting the sale of cannabinoids to only (CBD) and (CBG), both of which are non-psychoactive.
As Americans and Texans, adults who responsibly use hemp-derived legal cannabis in a variety of forms for a variety of reasons should be allowed to continue, rather than the alternative.
Scattered among our diverse clientele in beautiful downtown Corpus Christi are unfortunately the forlorn and destitute, the downtrodden and displaced. We treat them with dignity, and our price range facilitates them to at least temporarily alleviate their hardships, both physically and mentally. What is going to be their alternative and what will they have to do to get it?
People regardless of class use legal cannabis as an alternative to painkillers or other opioids, as different cannabinoids have different uses and purposes. The alternatives for relief to those without affluence will be reverted completely to the black market. Though in your statement it seems that you believe marijuana purchased off the street is actually the safer option.
An increase in black market activity will without question lead to a decrease in overall public safety. It will cause a higher level of drug activity and an increase in overdoses, as I strongly suspect that without access to a safe and cheap form of medicine, the down on their luck will turn to cheaper, more potent and dangerous alternatives such as fentanyl.
Overall, the bill creates a more favorable environment for crime, diverts law enforcement resources, and disadvantages already marginalized groups. This is all before we consider the fiscal implications of SB3.
According to an official document from the Legislative Budget Board, the bill would result in a probable loss to the General Revenue Fund averaging north of $10 million each year for the next five years. For my own clarification these millions are only the losses at the state level and do not include the revenue losses to cities, counties and transit authorities.
These losses also do not reflect the certain collapse of the hemp industry in Texas. According to the Texas Hemp Business Council it is an $8 billion industry which generates $1.6 billion in wages, sustains 53,000+ jobs and 10,000+ businesses.
Banning legal hemp-derived products will hand the market over to illegal unregulated products and will take away Texans’ right to choose natural alternatives.
I implore you to withdraw the SB3 bill. Working toward safety should include experts in the field, community leaders, private businesses, and other stakeholders to find the most effective solutions to directly address specific problems without pulling the rug from beneath the industry.
Withdrawing the bill and taking a more measured approach would demonstrate a strong commitment to public safety and the long-term stability of our communities.
Thank you for your time,
Jakob Nathaniel Salinas