1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I implore you to veto Senate Bill 3, the legislation that would impose a ban on all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Texas. This draconian measure would decimate the state's burgeoning $8 billion hemp industry and jeopardize an estimated 50,000 jobs. While proponents claim the bill aims to close a legal loophole, it goes too far by prohibiting even trace amounts of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. The rationale behind this bill is flawed. Hemp-derived products containing minuscule levels of THC pose no significant risk to public health or safety. Instead of an outright ban, a more sensible approach would be to establish reasonable THC limits and implement robust testing and labeling requirements to ensure consumer safety. Moreover, the bill's passage could have severe unintended consequences. A thriving legal hemp market provides a safer alternative to the unregulated black market, reducing the risks associated with illicit drug use. Abruptly eliminating this industry could drive consumers back to unlawful channels, undermining public health and safety objectives. I urge you to consider the far-reaching implications of this legislation and veto Senate Bill 3. A more nuanced approach that balances public welfare with the economic interests of the hemp industry and the personal freedoms of Texans would better serve the state's diverse needs.