ICYMI: Texas Voters Overwhelmingly Oppose House Bill 5
[AUSTIN, Texas] – Today, Texans at the Austin State Capitol voiced their clear opposition to the disastrous hemp bill ban, House Bill 5 (HB 5), during a public hearing in the House Public Health Committee.
Thankfully, Gov. Greg Abbott ALREADY vetoed nearly identical language. Rightfully so, it’s no secret that Texas voters overwhelmingly support legal, consumable hemp-derived products with commonsense safety regulations.
A recent statewide poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates – a key pollster for President Trump in 2024 – found that only 13% of Texas voters opposed regulated hemp sales, against the 79% of supporters. Today’s committee hearing only reinforced the data.
After vetoing SB3, Gov. Abbott became more popular among Texas voters; meanwhile, the Texas Legislature and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick doubled down on their misguided legislation.
The data also shows that Republicans pushing a ban on hemp-derived products coincides with their own political demise. Texas voters – on both sides of the aisle – continue to see the importance of hemp-derived products for Texas. The poll displayed broad bipartisan support with 75% of Republicans, 81% of Democrats, and 82% of Independents all expressing their support. Texas voters aren’t afraid to voice their opinion, and if the Texas House doesn’t see that soon, HB 5 supporters will face an uphill battle during election season.
“The Texas House of Representatives must reject House Bill 5 and instead pursue the path of commonsense regulation that Gov. Abbott and Texas farmers and business leaders have outlined – a path that protects children while preserving nearly 60,000 Texas jobs and revenue of a nearly $8 billion agricultural commodity,” said Hemp Industry & Farmers of America Executive Director Brian Swensen. “Placing more red tape on lawfully operating Texas businesses and limiting farmers’ ability to grow federally compliant crops goes against everything the state of Texas stands for. If the Legislature has any respect for their constituents, they will listen to the Governor and the nearly 80% of Texas voters in favor of consumable hemp-derived products.”
About Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA): HIFA is a nonpartisan coalition of hemp industry advocates representing the interests of all sectors – from farmers, veterans, and manufacturers to retail stores.
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