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Talarico warns cartels could benefit
USA Today • • business
Key Points:
- Texas has begun enforcing a ban on most synthetically derived hemp THC products, including delta-8 THC, following a Texas Supreme Court decision, with possession of banned products prosecutable as a state jail felony.
- State Rep. James Talarico criticized the crackdown, arguing it will push consumers back to the black market and benefit drug cartels by limiting access to safe, local sources.
- Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, called the ban "insane" and urged lawmakers to focus on funding schools, healthcare, and childcare instead of restricting THC products.
- He referenced a statement by former President Donald Trump advocating to end arrests for small amounts of marijuana, highlighting bipartisan support for reform.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee, has not yet commented on the state's THC restrictions.
