1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

The proposed Senate Bill 3 (SB3) is a misguided and harmful attempt to dismantle Texas' legal hemp industry in favor of a corporate monopoly. This bill has nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with eliminating competition for the benefit of a select few players like Texas Original. The thriving Texas hemp market operates legally under federal law and provides safe, lab-tested, affordable products to consumers. Rather than banning an entire industry, reasonable regulations should be implemented to address any potential issues while preserving the free market competition that ensures better quality and lower prices. SB3 is being aggressively pushed by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and the CEO of Texas Original, neither of whom are from Texas, in a blatant attempt to tighten their grip on cannabis sales in our state. The recent Senate Committee Hearing was filled with misleading testimony, fear-mongering about "THC overdoses" (which do not actually occur), and the conflation of legal hemp products with unregulated synthetic substances. Texans deserve access to the legal, high-quality hemp products already available thanks to the Farm Bill. The state should not create an artificial monopoly that limits consumer choice and economic freedom. Shutting down small businesses to reduce competition is unethical and anti-capitalist. We support smart regulations to address bad actors, not outright prohibition of a legitimate industry. For these reasons, I strongly urge you to vote NO on SB3 and reject this corporate-backed corruption attempt. Stand up for Texans' rights, the free market, and ethical governance by protecting our state's hemp industry. Thank you for your consideration.