May 13, 2023

No Worries About House Bill 218

There's a lot of legislation in the works to attack the hemp industry, but Texas House Bill 218? Surprisingly not. So what is HB 218, and what does it mean for cannabis in the Lone Star State? Find out from Hometown Hero CEO and Co-Founder Lukas Gilkey in the video below:

See HB 218

No Change in Hemp Laws

There were many concerns within the hemp industry and among enthusiasts in Texas that HB 218 would be used to redefine what constitutes hemp. House Bill 218 does no such thing to change that. As of this writing, hemp is defined in Texas law as:

"...the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds of the plant and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis."

Marijuana Decriminalization & Expungement of Records

As of this writing, possessing 2 ounces or less of marijuana in Texas can lead to imprisonment for up to 180 days and a fine of up to $4,000. If HB 218 passes, possessing up to one ounce of marijuana would be considered a Class C misdemeanor with no time in jail and a maximum fine of $500.

Another damaging aspect of cannabis prohibition is the criminal records of those convicted. A criminal record can lead to many missed opportunities and life-long obstacles regarding education, housing, and jobs. HB 218 would help clear up the way for many convicted of marijuana misdemeanors to have records of their conviction expunged.

Stay Up To Date

We make these videos to ensure you're always in the know regarding the latest developments in the hemp industry, so be sure to expect another installment next week.

In the meantime, you can check out our previous installments listed below: