1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Texas is on the path to completely banning hemp-derived THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants that is federally legal. This approach raises concerns as it would eliminate access to a safe alternative for many individuals seeking relief from various medical conditions. It would also take billions out of our economy and cause lots of job loss at a time when many are losing their jobs already. The economy is unstable right now and we should not be putting barriers in place that caused job loss during such uncertain, economic times. If the economy goes into a recession oil prices will plummet which will cause a large deficit in the budget. While regulation is necessary to ensure product safety and prevent youth access, an outright ban fails to address these issues effectively and could fuel unregulated markets. Instead of a blanket prohibition, implementing robust regulations would allow for the responsible use of legally available hemp-derived THC products.