Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is again in THC meltdown mode.
After Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this week issued an government order imposing age limits and different rules on the state’s $8 billion hemp business, the lieutenant governor fired off an announcement Friday accusing his sometimes-ally of “legitimizing” a unclean enterprise.
“The Governor’s government order, deliberately or not, has despatched a sign to the THC business that they’ve a state seal of approval on the present THC market,” mentioned Patrick, who fought throughout the state’s current legislative periods for an outright ban on all hemp merchandise containing THC.
Patrick added that he has no private beef with Abbott, a fellow Republican with whom he has largely labored in lockstep on different legislative points. Even so, the lieutenant governor recommended this week’s government order is tantamount to legalizing pot within the Lone Star State.
“The governor has said he doesn’t wish to legalize marijuana in Texas, however testimony from regulation enforcement and others say that’s precisely what’s going to occur,” Patrick mentioned.
And, consistent with Patrick’s earlier anti-THC screeds, he poured on the wild hyperbole in Friday’s assertion.
Whereas the lieutenant governor stopped in need of accusing the hemp business of being in league with terrorists or destroying the state’s capacity to draw new companies, as he did throughout a June information convention, he nonetheless claimed with out proof that the enterprise is intentionally peddling dope to children.
“These are the identical individuals who have been promoting harmful THC merchandise to children and teenagers for the final 4 years in 1000’s of places throughout Texas,” Patrick continued. “They’ll proceed to take action below this government order with no ban. They’re those who purposefully constructed their shops shut to varsities to focus on our children. They’ve all the time claimed solely to promote to folks age 21 and up, however we all know that may be a lie.”
Sounds prefer it’s nap time for grandpa.
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Associated Tales
The governor’s order got here shortly after the Legislature did not ban or additional regulate hemp-derived THC merchandise by the tip of this yr’s second particular session.
The transfer comes after the Texas Legislature couldn’t agree whether or not to manage the rising business or ban it fully.
Whereas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stays adamant a few ban, hemp business representatives say they’d compromise on making a 21 age restrict to buy.
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This text seems in Sep 3-17, 2025.
