Pressure is mounting on Governor Greg Abbott (R) to veto Senate Bill 3, which would impose sweeping restrictions on hemp-derived products in Texas. Despite Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s (R) support for the bill, state Rep. Brian Harrison (R) warns that it would result in “dangerous” repercussions.
Lt. Governor Patrick has championed the bill, calling it a necessary step to protect Texas children from harmful substances, but opposition is growing against the bill, and pushback is now coming from within the Republican Party.
During an appearance on FOX 4 News’ The Issue Is, state Rep. Harrison discussed the bill, voicing strong concerns over the effort.
The Texas Republican believes that SB 3 would do more harm than good, adding, “I agree with the goal of protecting children from potentially dangerous products. Everybody agrees with that.” However, for state Rep. Harrison, SB 3 isn’t solely about protecting children.
State Rep. Harrison warns that the legislation would effectively ban many hemp-based products used by adults across the Lone State, noting that it would threaten small businesses and jobs.
“It’s gonna… have a devastating impact on our economy,” he warned. According to him, “eight, nine, ten thousand small businesses” would be affected under the bill, forcing them to “have to close their doors.” “Forty, fifty thousand jobs are gonna get laid off.”
State Rep. Harrison further cautioned that SB 3 could backfire from a public health perspective.
“Millions of Texans are gonna be… pushed into either a completely unregulated dangerous black market or to much more fatal and addictive pharmaceuticals,” he warned. “Why would we do such a thing?”
Governor Abbott has not announced if he will sign the bill or not, but Lt. Governor Patrick is assured that signing the bill means delivering a legislative win for Texans.
Last month, Lt. Governor Patrick held a news conference calling on the media to highlight the dangers of THC.
“I don’t think the media has taken this issue seriously,” he commented. “I don’t think the story has been told.”
