Texas Poll Finds Overwhelming Support for Hemp THC Products as Senate Passes New Ban

A recent poll in Texas found nearly 80% public support for hemp products; lawmakers in the Senate, however, have advanced a new proposal banning intoxicating hemp products. A recent survey of 600 likely Texas voters found that 79% of respondents support keeping intoxicating hemp products legal in the state, KVUE reports. The poll, conducted between July 24-27 by the Republican polling firm McLaughlin & Associates, found that just 13% of respondents opposed keeping the products legal, a staggering 66-point difference.

Meanwhile, the Texas Senate last week passed Senate Bill 5, a new measure banning hemp-derived THC products even after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) vetoed a similarproposal in June. The new law, which senators gave final approval to on Friday, bans hemp-derived products containing any “detectable amount of any cannabinoid” other than cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG). Lawmakers in the House have filed a companion bill for the legislation, although hemp advocates expect to find more support in the House, The Texas Tribune reports.

Lawmakers behind the ban have insisted that the legalization of hemp was never intended to create a new market for intoxicating products.

The governor has urged lawmakers to reconsider their approach and regulate hemp-derived THC products similar to alcohol. Before the governor’s veto, hemp advocates helped to submit hundreds of letters of support and tens of thousands of petition signatures calling on the governor to block the legislation, which would have demolished the state’s hemp industry.

Another poll earlier this year found that Republican voters in Texas were more likely to oppose than support a ban on intoxicating hemp products.