Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has reignited the debate on cannabis legislation in the state, arguing for stricter regulations on intoxicating hemp products while expanding access to medical marijuana. In a pointed op-ed, Miller criticized the patchwork enforcement of current laws and called for the Texas Legislature to bring clarity and structure to the cannabis market.
The Rise of Unregulated Cannabis Products
In recent years, Texas has witnessed an explosion of hemp-based products marketed for their intoxicating effects. These include vape pens, edibles, and even cannabis buds openly sold in retail stores. But how did this market emerge? According to Miller, the issue stems from ambiguous legal definitions introduced when Texas legalized hemp farming and created a medical cannabis program.
Miller points out that testing cannabis products for THC levels—the psychoactive compound that defines legality—is both expensive and time-consuming. Local authorities often lack the resources to enforce marijuana laws effectively. As a result, many cities and counties have deprioritized prosecuting minor possession cases, allowing a quasi-legal market to flourish.
“Local police must send samples to one of the few labs capable of testing THC levels and wait through a backlog for results,” Miller explains. “Unless it’s a major case involving large quantities, it’s simply not worth the effort.”
A Call for Consumer Safety Standards
Miller expressed serious concerns about the lack of regulation in the burgeoning hemp-derived product market. He highlighted the absence of safety inspections, chemical analyses, and consumer standards as a public health risk. These unregulated products, he warned, could contain harmful additives or undisclosed chemicals.
“What we have now is the wild west,” Miller said. “These products are potentially dangerous, and in many cases, we don’t even know where they’re coming from or what they contain.”
Supporting Medical Cannabis Expansion
While Miller takes a firm stance against unregulated intoxicating hemp products, he is a strong advocate for expanding Texas’s medical marijuana program. Currently, the state’s Compassionate Use Program provides cannabis access to patients with conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, and PTSD. Miller believes this list should grow.
“Everyone who can benefit from cannabis for a legitimate medical condition should have it available to them,” Miller stated. He also called for more research into cannabis to better understand its medical and commercial potential.
A Legislative Fix Needed
Miller urged the Texas Legislature to address the discrepancies in the current laws. He supported Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s push to crack down on the unregulated market while encouraging lawmakers to engage in a transparent debate on the future of cannabis in Texas.
“Even if the legislature voted to legalize recreational marijuana tomorrow, that legislation would create a regulated market with checks and balances,” Miller argued. “What we have now is chaos.”
He emphasized that Texas needs clear laws that are enforceable and understandable, and he encouraged Republicans to work together to achieve this goal.
Balancing Agriculture and Regulation
As an eighth-generation farmer and rancher, Miller’s perspective reflects his commitment to Texas agriculture and rural communities. While he supports hemp as a commercial crop and a promising avenue for economic growth, he insists that the market must operate under stringent regulations.
Miller concluded his op-ed by reiterating his support for Lieutenant Governor Patrick’s efforts to curb unregulated cannabis sales. He called on the legislature to fix the gaps in the current laws and establish a safer, more consistent framework for cannabis use in Texas.
