The Fight for Personal Liberty & Fair Markets: THC in Texas

The "Nanny-State" Agenda vs. Your Right to Choose

For too long, the leadership in Austin has treated adult Texans like children. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick displays a range of intoxicating THC products at a May 28 press conference to illustrate his concerns that seemingly harmless snacks and drinks pose a danger to public health among children and adults. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman

made the ban on hemp-derived THC one of his "top five" legislative priorities in nearly two decades in office. He didn't just suggest it—he championed it, calling these products "poison" and pushing for a total ban that would wipe out thousands of small businesses and strip away personal choice.

Following the Money, Not the Science

While Senator Schwertner and others pushed this ban under the guise of "public safety," the timing raises serious questions. While they move to criminalize safe, hemp-derived THC, reports indicate a massive influx of support from the alcohol and tobacco industries—the very competitors who benefit most when a safer alternative is banned.

The Dyson Record

State Representative Dyson aligned himself with this agenda. By supporting the push to ban THC, he didn't just support a policy—he supported the erasure of a multi-billion dollar industry and the criminalization of adults making legal choices.

I believe in a different Texas.

I believe in a Texas where we regulate for safety without resorting to total bans. I believe in a Texas where the government doesn't pick winners and losers in the marketplace to satisfy political donors.

THC Tax and Public Safety

Texas currently applies only its regular sales tax to THC sales. That is not a serious public policy framework for a product that requires oversight, quality standards, consumer protections, and accountability. If Texas is going to allow THC products in the marketplace, then Texas should regulate and tax them in a way that protects the public and serves the public good.

I support decriminalizing, regulating, and taxing adult-use THC through a safe, licensed, tested market. I support a 15% excise tax on adult-use THC products in Texas, modeled on proven cannabis tax systems used in other states. This tax should apply to non-medical THC sales and should exist alongside clear rules requiring licensed retail sales, accurate labeling, independent testing, child-resistant packaging, age restrictions, and strong enforcement.

My Priorities for THC Policy in Texas

Texas should adopt a THC tax structure that is simple, enforceable, and tied directly to public benefits. Revenue should not disappear into general spending without purpose. The law should dedicate proceeds by set percentages to the following priorities:

- Regulation and administration: licensing, inspections, enforcement, lab standards, and compliance

- Product quality testing and consumer safety: verifying potency, screening for contaminants, and preventing unsafe products from reaching consumers

- Public school fine arts: supporting music, theater, visual arts, and other enrichment opportunities for Texas students

- Mental health services: expanding access to treatment, crisis care, and community-based support

- Veterans’ services: helping Texas veterans access care, housing support, and recovery services

- Mandatory local government revenue sharing: ensuring cities and counties dealing with enforcement, zoning, infrastructure, and public health impacts receive a direct share

Protecting Medical Patients

Medical use should be treated differently from recreational use. Texans who use THC for legitimate medical reasons should not be punished with extra taxes on their care.

I support exempting medical THC purchases from both the THC excise tax and sales tax, provided the patient is lawfully authorized under Texas law. Patients should not pay higher costs because they are managing pain, PTSD, epilepsy, cancer symptoms, or other serious conditions under state law.

Texas should also provide a secure, privacy-protective way for lawfully authorized medical patients to verify lawful possession when necessary, so patients are protected and law enforcement has clear standards.

Why Texas Needs a Better Approach

Right now, Texas has an inconsistent and weak framework for THC policy. A simple sales-tax-only approach does not generate dedicated funding for oversight, testing, or public health. It also fails to ensure that communities affected by THC retail activity receive support.

A better approach would:

- Improve consumer safety

- Fund independent testing and enforcement

- Support schools and mental health

- Honor veterans with dedicated investment

- Require local revenue sharing

- Protect medical patients from added tax burdens

- Require intoxicating THC products to be sold through licensed, accountable retailers — not gas stations or convenience stores.

What I Support

I support legislation in Texas that would:

1. Create a 15% excise tax on adult-use THC

2. Require licensed retail sales, clear labeling, product testing, and enforcement standards

3. Dedicate revenue by statute to regulation, public school fine arts, mental health, veterans’ services, and local governments

4. Require mandatory revenue sharing with cities and counties

5. Exempt medical THC purchased by lawfully authorized patients from both excise tax and sales tax

Bottom Line

Texas should stop pretending ordinary sales tax is enough. If THC products are sold, they should be subject to a serious regulatory and tax framework that protects consumers, funds public priorities, supports local communities, and keeps medical access affordable for patients who need it.

Treat adults like adults. Protect kids. Test the product. License the seller. Tell the truth on the label. And make the revenue work for Texas.