The opioid crisis has devastated millions of families across the United States over the past two decades.
Tens of thousands of lives lost each year.
Countless more trapped in a cycle of addiction, hopelessness, and heartbreak.
And yet, amidst the devastation, a safer alternative emerged.
Plant-based wellness options—specifically hemp-derived CBD and THC—offered hope, offering relief without the deadly consequences of pharmaceutical opioids.
Now, that progress is under threat.
Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) and House Bill 28 (HB 28) propose to ban nearly all consumable hemp products in Texas. If these bills pass, they will not just shut down businesses; they will strip Texans of safer, healthier alternatives—and put lives at risk.
The Facts: Plant-Based Alternatives Are Working
The research is clear.
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Pain found that medical cannabis use was associated with a 64 percent reduction in opioid use among chronic pain patients, along with improved quality of life and fewer medication side effects. (Journal of Pain)
A 2020 study published in the BMJ reported that counties with a greater number of cannabis dispensaries saw a 17 percent reduction in all opioid-related deaths. (BMJ)
The National Academies of Sciences reviewed over 10,000 studies and concluded that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is effective for chronic pain in adults. (National Academies Report)
This is not wishful thinking.
It is a reality backed by data, by experience, and by human lives saved.
The People Behind the Statistics
Behind every number is a real person.
A child. A veteran. A parent. A survivor.
Consider the story of Charlotte Figi, who suffered from Dravet Syndrome, a rare and catastrophic form of epilepsy.
By the time she was five years old, Charlotte was experiencing up to 300 grand mal seizures a week. Traditional pharmaceutical treatments failed her. Her life changed only after turning to CBD oil, which reduced her seizures to a few per month.
This natural, federally legal option gave her a chance to live a real childhood.
If SB 3 and HB 28 pass, stories like Charlotte’s will not be possible in Texas. Families will be criminalized for seeking relief that science and experience have already proven to be safer and more effective.
What SB 3 and HB 28 Would Actually Do
If passed, SB 3 and HB 28 would:
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Ban the sale and possession of nearly all hemp-derived THC products, regardless of federal legality
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Force individuals back into dependency on opioids, antidepressants, and other pharmaceuticals
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Criminalize everyday Texans who are simply trying to manage their health
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Eliminate thousands of small businesses across the state
This is not about protecting public health.
It is about protecting entrenched interests and monopolizing control of the wellness industry.
We Cannot Stay Silent
We have fought too long and too hard to be dragged backward by legislation driven by misinformation and greed.
We have seen firsthand the lives that have been saved by safe, regulated access to plant-based alternatives.
We must not allow that progress to be erased.
If you or someone you love has benefited from hemp-derived wellness, now is the time to act.
This is not just about one bill. It is about the fundamental right to choose what is best for your own health and well-being.
What You Can Do Now
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Call your representatives and tell them you oppose SB 3 and HB 28.
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Email your legislators and demand they protect your right to access safer alternatives.
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Share this information with family, friends, and your wider community.
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Support advocacy groups fighting for health freedom and safer options.
The time to be loud is now.
The only way harmful legislation passes is if good people stay silent.
Further Reading and Resources:
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Journal of Pain Study on Cannabis and Opioid Reduction
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BMJ Study: Cannabis Dispensaries and Opioid Mortality Rates
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National Academies of Sciences: Cannabis and Health Effects
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NORML Fact Sheet: Cannabis and Opioid Alternatives
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Veterans Affairs Public Health Information on Marijuana