Cannabis

As other states expand their recreational and medicinal use programs, Texas laws remain some of the toughest in the country.

Delta-8 is a hemp product designed to get users high, but misleading labels or added chemicals have caused people to get sick. And a lack of federal regulation or guidance has states stepping in.

Texas health officials insist delta-8 is an illegal substance and has been for 40 years.

A Travis County judge temporarily blocked the state from listing delta-8 as a Schedule I drug, which effectively made it illegal. The cannabis extract became popular because users say it produces the “high” effect of marijuana.

In Texas, marijuana is largely illegal. But Delta-8 THC, which is derived from the hemp plant, has become wildly popular in the Lone Star State.

Lawmakers also increased the allowable level of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. But not by much.

Gov. Abbott is expected to sign HB 1535, which increases slightly the amount of THC allowed in medical marijuana and adds more medical conditions to the eligibility list for the program.

As the Texas House of Representatives wraps up hearings on the last of its bills, some pieces of legislation slipped through the cracks — barely receiving a committee hearing.

House Bill 1535 would make people with all forms of cancer and veterans suffering with post traumatic stress disorder eligible for the Texas Compassionate Use Registry.

From Texas Standard:One outcome of the 2020 election was a loosening of some drug laws in several states. Arizona, New Jersey and South Dakota approved…