Subscribe RH Love

Opinion: Top officials attempt to clarify new hemp law for prosecutors

by | Jul 24, 2019 | Opinion

S

ome district and county attorneys reportedly have begun to dismiss misdemeanor marijuana possession cases following the Texas Legislature’s passage of House Bill 1325, a law creating a legal path for the cultivation and marketing of hemp and hemp products.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Attorney General Ken Paxton on July 18 sent a letter informing prosecutors that the Texas law, which takes effect Sept. 1, adopts the definition that differentiates between hemp and marijuana in the 2018 Farm Bill passed by Congress last year.

The farm bill, which delegates authority over the regulation, production and sale of hemp to the states, differentiates hemp from marijuana by setting a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) threshold concentration of 0.3 percent for hemp and anything above 0.3 percent for marijuana.

HB 1325 directs the Texas Department of Agriculture to pass rules requiring hemp producers to be state-licensed and to test their products to ensure 0.3 percent or less THC concentration.

By Ed Sterling • Members Services Director of Texas Press Association

For the full story, see the July 24 issue or subscribe online.

Subscriber Love 728x90

0 Comments

Subscribe RH Love

Related News

John Wayne: Movie star superhero

John Wayne: Movie star superhero

Columnist John Moore believes that you haven’t been immortalized properly until you’ve been painted on black velvet. Like this John Wayne rendering that’s available on eBay from Lindy1017.You’d think that John Wayne said the word ‘pilgrim’ a lot. He did. But only in...

read more
Our stories shape the stories that matter most

Our stories shape the stories that matter most

It seems like about every time I am out in the public, no matter what the occasion, once someone realizes I own the local paper they seem anxious to tell me something.  And in more cases than not, it is how something someone has read impacts their lives. For example,...

read more
Iceboxes are cool

Iceboxes are cool

Columnist John Moore has an ice box that’s been in his family for a long time. One that still works if he ever needs it. Photo/John Moore The fridge. Frigerator. Some even called it, “The Frigidaire.” A few decades ago it had many names. Growing up, my family called...

read more
Keep information laws working as intended

Keep information laws working as intended

When it’s time to take a hard look at our public officials and decide which ones to re-elect – or reject – we need information.A major source of that information is the government itself. Access to public records and meetings is essential for us to know the facts and...

read more
The screening process

The screening process

Movies were better in a theater. A theater filled with people. Such was the case before the internet. Before HBO. Before people holed up in their living rooms and away from their neighbors and friends. A time when pay-per-view meant you bought a ticket to watch a...

read more
Scouting for knowledge

Scouting for knowledge

John Moore’s genuine Scouting pocketknife. Courtesy John Moore  I learned a lot from Scouting. Started as a Cub Scout, then joined Webelos, then the Boy Scouts.  Girls and making money took priority over my time around age 14, so I never made Eagle Scout....

read more
Heat-related deaths in Texas likely undercounted

Heat-related deaths in Texas likely undercounted

As Texans endure the dog days of summer, experts say deaths related to heat in Texas and nationwide are likely undercounted, the Texas Standard reported. With climate change causing warmer days and nights, last year was the hottest on record in Texas. Though this...

read more
A Fair Deal

A Fair Deal

Columnist John Moore’s sister took first place at the county fair with a photo she snapped on a Colorado train trip. Photo/ John Moore The photo was taken quickly with little thought of its future impact. It was just one on the 36-count roll of Kodak color film that...

read more
Pattern of abuse at Texas juvenile facilities

Pattern of abuse at Texas juvenile facilities

A federal investigation into five state facilities concluded children in custody face excessive force, sexual abuse and a lack of vital services, The Dallas Morning News reported. At a news conference last week, Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general in the...

read more
What’s Sop

What’s Sop

Columnist John Moore takes sopping seriously. Courtesy John Moore Southerner’s are big on sopping. We like to sop our biscuits in lots of things. There isn’t much that’s better than sopping a cathead biscuit in gravy. Especially if your mom made both. My mother worked...

read more
Order photos