How this score is worked out
Seven kinds of act move this number, and they do not count equally. A recorded vote counts 3, and so does authoring a bill or signing an executive action; signing on to somebody else’s bill counts 2. A statement or a questionnaire answer counts 2 as well, and an organisational endorsement counts 1. A vote takes its direction from the bill, whose effect is set out in advance; the rest take it from our reading of what was said, and each one below shows that reading and the reason for it. Acts shown with no number were examined and deliberately left out of the arithmetic, with a reason given.
- 2026-01-30 statement — Said at a public panel that the absence of regulation invites collapse and called for a framework that protects consumers, supports responsible businesses and avoids criminalising people for personal health decisions, counted as +2 at weight 2
- 2025-11-19 statement — States that he filed bills to regulate hemp-derived THC and to decriminalize recreational marijuana use, as an alternative to a ban. The same position as his published press release of 2025-07-30, counted as +2 at weight 2
- 2025-08-19 Consumable hemp, second called session SB 6 — voted, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2025-08-18 Consumable hemp, second called session SB 6 — voted, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2025-08-15 Regulate and tax cannabis SB 31 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2025-08-15 Defence to prosecution for possession SB 30 — signed on, counted as +1 at weight 3
- 2025-08-01 Consumable hemp, first called session SB 5 — voted, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2025-07-30 statement — Filed his own alternatives to a ban: one to regulate hemp-derived THC and one to decriminalise adult-use cannabis, counted as +2 at weight 2
- 2025-07-30 Regulate and tax cannabis SB 54 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2025-07-30 Consumable hemp, first called session SB 5 — voted, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2025-06-01 Texas Compassionate-Use Program HB 46 — voted, counted as +1 at weight 3
- 2025-05-27 Texas Compassionate-Use Program HB 46 — voted, counted as +1 at weight 3
- 2025-05-25 Consumable hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids SB 3 — voted, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2025-03-19 Consumable hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids SB 3 — voted, counted as -2 at weight 3
- 2025-03-19 statement — Written reason for vote stating he does not think an outright ban is the right approach and that THC should be decriminalised in small consumable quantities and strictly regulated, while voting for the bill, counted as +1 at weight 2
- 2025-03-07 Penalties for possession SB 2028 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 3
- 2023-03-07 Defence to prosecution for possession SB 1183 — signed on, counted as +1 at weight 1.2
- 2023-02-15 Penalties for possession SB 967 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 1.8
- 2022-11-14 Penalties for marihuana concentrate SB 87 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 1.8
- 2021-05-25 Low-THC cannabis for more conditions HB 1535 — voted, counted as +1 at weight 1.8
- 2021-05-25 Low-THC cannabis for more conditions HB 1535 — signed on, counted as +1 at weight 1.2
- 2021-05-24 Defence to prosecution for small amounts HB 1694 — voted, counted as +1 at weight 1.8
- 2021-05-21 Penalties for tetrahydrocannabinols HB 2593 — voted, counted as +2 at weight 1.8
- 2021-05-21 Penalties for tetrahydrocannabinols HB 2593 — voted, counted as +2 at weight 1.8
- 2021-03-08 Penalties for possession SB 1175 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 1.8
- 2021-02-23 Medical cannabis for debilitating conditions SB 90 — signed on, counted as +1 at weight 1.2
- 2020-11-10 Penalties for marihuana concentrate SB 151 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 1.8
- 2019-05-22 Low-THC cannabis for more conditions HB 3703 — voted, counted as +1 at weight 0.9
- 2019-01-16 Penalties for possession SB 156 — signed on, counted as +2 at weight 0.6
Average on the −2 to +2 scale: 1.51. Full method and the bill table.
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Coauthored2019-01-16
Signed on as a coauthor of SB 156 (86R), reducing the civil and criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marihuana, on 2019-01-16.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Vote2019-05-15
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the passage of CSHB 1325 to third reading, the 2019 bill on the production and regulation of hemp that brought Texas into line with the federal hemp definition and created the state's licensed hemp programme. The Senate Journal prints: "CSHB 1325 as amended was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote. All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to third reading."
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote and no name-by-name roll. The Texas Senate has 31 members, the journal's opening roll for 15 May 2019 names 31 senators present, and the yeas equal that number, so every senator present is recorded as voting Yea. This attribution is deduced from the size of the chamber and the day's presence roll, not read off a printed list of names.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site deliberately does not score HB 1325 (86th Legislature), so a record on it moves no number.
Why HB 1325 is not scored
Production and regulation of hemp — the 2019 bill that brought Texas into line with the federal hemp definition. It is an agricultural and licensing framework rather than an access measure, and it is read the same way as the other hemp-production bills here, so it is not scored. Its votes are still shown.
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Vote2019-05-15
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the third reading and final passage of CSHB 1325, the 2019 bill on the production and regulation of hemp, which carried 31 Yeas to 0 Nays. The Senate Journal prints: "The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0."
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote and no name-by-name roll. The Texas Senate has 31 members, the journal's opening roll for 15 May 2019 names 31 senators present, and the yeas equal that number, so every senator present is recorded as voting Yea. This attribution is deduced from the size of the chamber and the day's presence roll, not read off a printed list of names.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site deliberately does not score HB 1325 (86th Legislature), so a record on it moves no number.
Why HB 1325 is not scored
Production and regulation of hemp — the 2019 bill that brought Texas into line with the federal hemp definition. It is an agricultural and licensing framework rather than an access measure, and it is read the same way as the other hemp-production bills here, so it is not scored. Its votes are still shown.
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Vote2019-05-15
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the motion to suspend Senate Rule 7.18 and the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days, so that CSHB 1325 could be placed on its third reading and final passage the same day; CSHB 1325 is the 2019 bill on the production and regulation of hemp. The motion, made by Senator Perry, prevailed 31 Yeas to 0 Nays. This is a procedural vote; the third-reading passage that followed it is listed separately.
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote. The Texas Senate has 31 members and the Yeas number 31, so every senator is recorded as voting Yea. This attribution is deduced from the size of the chamber, not read off a printed list of names.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site deliberately does not score HB 1325 (86th Legislature), so a record on it moves no number.
Why HB 1325 is not scored
Production and regulation of hemp — the 2019 bill that brought Texas into line with the federal hemp definition. It is an agricultural and licensing framework rather than an access measure, and it is read the same way as the other hemp-production bills here, so it is not scored. Its votes are still shown.
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Vote2019-05-22
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the third-reading passage of CSHB 3703, widening the medical conditions for which low-THC cannabis may be prescribed under the Compassionate-Use Program, which carried 31 Yeas to 0 Nays.
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote. The Senate has 31 members, the journal's roll for the day names the senators present, and the yeas equal that number, so every senator present is recorded as voting Yea.
journals.senate.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov
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Vote2019-05-22
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the motion to suspend Senate Rule 7.18 and the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days, so that CSHB 3703 could be placed on its third reading and final passage the same day; CSHB 3703 is the 2019 bill widening the medical conditions for which low-THC cannabis may be prescribed under the Compassionate-Use Program. The motion, made by Senator Campbell, prevailed 31 Yeas to 0 Nays.
This is a procedural vote; the third-reading passage that followed it is listed separately.
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote. The Texas Senate has 31 members and the Yeas number 31, so every senator is recorded as voting Yea. This attribution is deduced from the size of the chamber, not read off a printed list of names.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score procedural motions, such as suspending a rule, postponing, recommitting or reconsidering, because such a motion decides how a bill is handled rather than what it does, and its scoring rules read this record as one.
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Authored2020-11-10
Filed SB 151 (87R) as its primary author on 2020-11-10, reducing the criminal penalties for possession or delivery of marihuana and marihuana concentrate.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Coauthored2021-02-23
Signed on as a coauthor of SB 90 (87R), authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution and delivery of medical cannabis for qualifying patients, on 2021-02-23.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Authored2021-03-08
Filed SB 1175 (87R) as its primary author on 2021-03-08, reducing the criminal and licensing consequences of marihuana and paraphernalia possession.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Vote2021-05-21
Texas Senate: recorded Yea, and named in the printed Yeas roll, on final passage of HB 2593 as amended, moving possession of tetrahydrocannabinols into a new penalty group whose lowest tiers are misdemeanors, out of one where any amount is a felony. The Journal records the vote as 24 Yeas, 7 Nays.
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Vote2021-05-21
Texas Senate: recorded Yea, and named in the printed Yeas roll, on the motion to suspend the regular order of business to take up HB 2593 on its second reading; HB 2593 is the 2021 bill moving possession of tetrahydrocannabinols into a new penalty group whose lowest tiers are misdemeanors, out of one where any amount is a felony. The motion, made by Senator Johnson, prevailed 24 Yeas to 7 Nays. This is the procedural vote that brought the bill up; the passage to third reading that followed it, and the final passage, are listed separately.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score procedural motions, such as suspending a rule, postponing, recommitting or reconsidering, because such a motion decides how a bill is handled rather than what it does, and its scoring rules read this record as one.
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Vote2021-05-21
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the passage of HB 2593 to third reading on its second reading, the 2021 bill moving possession of tetrahydrocannabinols into a new penalty group whose lowest tiers are misdemeanors, out of one where any amount is a felony, which carried 24 Yeas to 7 Nays. The Senate Journal records this vote as the same as the previous roll call, the one taken moments earlier to bring the bill up, in which this member is named in the printed Yeas roll.
Final passage the same day is listed separately.
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Vote2021-05-21
Texas Senate: recorded Yea, and named in the printed Yeas roll, on the motion to suspend Senate Rule 7.18 and the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days, so that HB 2593 could be placed on its third reading and final passage the same day; HB 2593 is the 2021 bill moving possession of tetrahydrocannabinols into a new penalty group whose lowest tiers are misdemeanors, out of one where any amount is a felony.
The motion, made by Senator Johnson, prevailed 25 Yeas to 6 Nays. This is a procedural vote; the third-reading passage that followed it is listed separately.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score procedural motions, such as suspending a rule, postponing, recommitting or reconsidering, because such a motion decides how a bill is handled rather than what it does, and its scoring rules read this record as one.
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Vote2021-05-24
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the third-reading passage of HB 1694, creating a defence to prosecution for small-amount possession when a person seeks emergency help for an overdose, which carried 30 Yeas to 0 Nays, with one member absent-excused.
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote. The Senate has 31 members, the journal's roll for the day names the senators present, and the yeas equal that number, so every senator present is recorded as voting Yea.
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Vote2021-05-24
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the motion to suspend Senate Rule 7.18 and the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days, so that HB 1694 could be placed on its third reading and final passage the same day; HB 1694 is the 2021 bill creating a defence to prosecution for small-amount possession when a person seeks emergency help for an overdose. The motion, made by Senator Schwertner, prevailed 30 Yeas to 0 Nays, with Senator Creighton absent-excused.
This is a procedural vote; the third-reading passage that followed it is listed separately.
⚠️The journal prints no list of Yeas for this vote; it names only the absent member. The Texas Senate has 31 members, and 30 Yeas, 0 Nays and the one named absence account for all of them, so every senator other than the absent member is recorded as voting Yea. This attribution is deduced from the size of the chamber and the named absence, not read off a printed list of names.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score procedural motions, such as suspending a rule, postponing, recommitting or reconsidering, because such a motion decides how a bill is handled rather than what it does, and its scoring rules read this record as one.
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Vote2021-05-25
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the third-reading passage of CSHB 1535, widening the medical conditions qualifying for low-THC cannabis under the Compassionate-Use Program, which carried 31 Yeas to 0 Nays.
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote. The Senate has 31 members, the journal's roll for the day names the senators present, and the yeas equal that number, so every senator present is recorded as voting Yea.
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Coauthored2021-05-25
Was shown as a Senate co-sponsor of HB 1535, the 2021 Compassionate-Use Program expansion, on the motion of Senator Schwertner printed in the Senate Journal.
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Vote2021-05-25
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the motion to suspend Senate Rule 7.18 and the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days, so that CSHB 1535 could be placed on its third reading and final passage the same day; CSHB 1535 is the 2021 bill widening the medical conditions qualifying for low-THC cannabis under the Compassionate-Use Program. The motion, made by Senator Schwertner, prevailed 31 Yeas to 0 Nays.
This is a procedural vote; the third-reading passage that followed it is listed separately.
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote. The Texas Senate has 31 members and the Yeas number 31, so every senator is recorded as voting Yea. This attribution is deduced from the size of the chamber, not read off a printed list of names.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score procedural motions, such as suspending a rule, postponing, recommitting or reconsidering, because such a motion decides how a bill is handled rather than what it does, and its scoring rules read this record as one.
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Vote2021-05-26
Recorded Nay on passage of CSHB 3948 to third reading in the Texas Senate on 2021-05-26. The bill is captioned "Relating to the production and regulation of hemp and consumable hemp products; providing administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense." The Senate Journal prints: "CSHB 3948 as amended was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote. All Members are deemed to have voted "Yea" on the passage to third reading except as follows: Nays: Johnson."
The journal prints the bare surname Johnson; the 87th Legislature had exactly one Senator Johnson — Nathan Johnson of Senate District 16 — so the name resolves to him.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but deliberately left out of the score: 87R HB 3948 is on our unscored list: it is read as an industry framework rather than an access measure, so the direction of a vote on it is arguable. The act is recorded without moving the score.
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Vote2021-05-26
Recorded Nay on third reading and final passage of CSHB 3948 in the Texas Senate on 2021-05-26, the sole Nay against 30 Yeas. The bill is captioned "Relating to the production and regulation of hemp and consumable hemp products; providing administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense." The Senate Journal prints: "The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. Nays: Johnson."
The journal prints the bare surname Johnson; the 87th Legislature had exactly one Senator Johnson — Nathan Johnson of Senate District 16 — so the name resolves to him.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but deliberately left out of the score: 87R HB 3948 is on our unscored list: it is read as an industry framework rather than an access measure, so the direction of a vote on it is arguable. The act is recorded without moving the score.
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Vote2021-05-26
Texas Senate: recorded Yea on the motion to suspend Senate Rule 7.18 and the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days, so that CSHB 3948 could be placed on its third reading and final passage the same day; CSHB 3948 is the 2021 bill on the production and regulation of hemp and consumable hemp products. The motion, made by Senator Perry, prevailed 31 Yeas to 0 Nays. This is a procedural vote; the third-reading passage that followed it is listed separately.
⚠️The journal prints only the tally for this vote. The Texas Senate has 31 members and the Yeas number 31, so every senator is recorded as voting Yea. This attribution is deduced from the size of the chamber, not read off a printed list of names.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site deliberately does not score HB 3948 (87th Legislature), so a record on it moves no number.
Why HB 3948 is not scored
Hemp and consumable hemp production and regulation. Read as an industry framework rather than an access measure; the direction is arguable, so it is not scored.
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Authored2022-11-14
Filed SB 87 (88R) as its primary author on 2022-11-14, reducing the criminal penalties for possession or delivery of marihuana concentrate.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Authored2023-02-15
Filed SB 967 (88R) as its primary author on 2023-02-15, reducing the criminal and licensing consequences of possessing marihuana and certain tetrahydrocannabinols.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Coauthored2023-03-07
Signed on as a coauthor of SB 1183 in the 88th Legislature, a bill relating to the defense to prosecution for certain offenses involving possession of small amounts of controlled substances, marihuana, dangerous drugs, or abusable volatile chemicals, or possession of drug paraphernalia for defendants seeking assistance for a suspected overdose. The Legislature’s author table records the sign-on date as 2023-03-07. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice and never received a vote.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Authored2025-03-07
Filed SB 2028 (89R) as its primary author on 2025-03-07, reducing the criminal and licensing consequences of possessing marihuana, certain tetrahydrocannabinols and paraphernalia.
capitol.texas.gov, capitol.texas.gov, journals.senate.texas.gov
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Vote2025-03-19
Voted Yea on Senate Bill 3, regulating hemp-derived consumable products, which passed the Texas Senate 26 to 5. He is named in the printed Yeas roll, alongside his opponent.
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Said2025-03-19
Filed a written reason for vote, printed in the Senate Journal, explaining his Yea on Senate Bill 3. He wrote: "Today’s vote was a difficult one." He continued: "While I do not think that an outright ban is the right approach to THC regulation in Texas, the inconsistency in state policy that has arisen as a result of the hemp-derived THC industry and the public health concerns it has caused, should not be ignored by legislators."
He added: "I continue to believe that THC should be decriminalized in small consumable quantities, that public consequences should be addressed, that THC should be strictly regulated, that penalties should be consistent throughout statute irrespective of the form of consumption or the form of production, and that THC is both under-researched and under-utilized with respect to both medicinal and recreational use."
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Vote2025-04-22
Texas Senate: recorded Nay, and named in the printed Nays roll, on passage to engrossment on second reading of CSSB 1870, which would bar a city or county from placing on the ballot any measure — including a charter amendment — directing that state drug or consumable hemp laws not be fully enforced, and from adopting a non-enforcement policy, with civil penalties of $25,000 for a first violation. The Journal records the vote as 23 Yeas, 8 Nays.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score floor amendments, because an amendment can point the opposite way to the bill it changes, and its scoring rules read this record as concerning one.
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Vote2025-04-23
Texas Senate: recorded Nay, and named in the printed Nays roll, on third-reading passage of CSSB 1870, which would bar a city or county from placing on the ballot any measure — including a charter amendment — directing that state drug or consumable hemp laws not be fully enforced, and from adopting a non-enforcement policy, with civil penalties of $25,000 for a first violation. The Journal records the vote as 23 Yeas, 8 Nays.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score floor amendments, because an amendment can point the opposite way to the bill it changes, and its scoring rules read this record as concerning one.
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Vote2025-05-25
Recorded Nay on the motion to concur in the House amendments to SB 3, the intoxicating-hemp-THC ban, which carried 25 Yeas to 6 Nays. They are named in the printed Nays roll in the Senate Journal for that day.
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Vote2025-05-27
The Texas Senate passed CSHB 46, the Compassionate Use Program expansion, on third reading by 31 Yeas to 0 Nays. The journal records the totals only and prints no individual names for this vote, so it is recorded here as a unanimous act of the chamber rather than as a named vote.
⚠️The deduction rests on two facts: the Senate has 31 seats, so a tally of 31 Yeas means every seat was filled and every member voted Yea; and this senator is named in other recorded votes printed in the same day’s journal, which establishes they were serving and present that day.
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Vote2025-06-01
The Texas Senate adopted the conference committee report on HB 46, the Compassionate Use Program expansion, by 31 Yeas to 0 Nays. The journal records the totals only and prints no individual names for this vote, so it is recorded here as a unanimous act of the chamber rather than as a named vote.
⚠️The deduction rests on two facts: the Senate has 31 seats, so a tally of 31 Yeas means every seat was filled and every member voted Yea; and this senator is named in other recorded votes printed in the same day’s journal, which establishes they were serving and present that day.
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Said2025-07-30
Announced two bills of his own as an alternative to a ban: one to regulate hemp-derived THC and one to decriminalise adult-use cannabis. In the official release he is quoted: "In the regular session Senators were presented with the option of a ban or nothing. Doing nothing was not an option then, and is not an option now. But a total THC ban is neither enforceable nor desirable nor respectful of adult consumers." The release states the package would set a minimum purchase age of 21, cap consumable products at 5mg of THC per serving, and require testing, labeling and child-safe packaging.
- Press conference on the two bills, on the Texas Senate video archive (31:25, entirely on this subject) 0:00-31:25 (the whole recording)
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Authored2025-07-30
Authored SB 54, filed in the first called session of the 89th Legislature, a bill relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, use, and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products and the local regulation of licensed cannabis growers, cannabis establishments, cannabis testing facilities, and cannabis secure transporters; providing for expunction of records relating to certain decriminalized conduct; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a tax.
The Legislature’s author table records the filing date as 2025-07-30. It was filed and never referred to committee.
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Authored2025-07-30
Authored SB 53, filed in the first called session of the 89th Legislature, a bill relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and permits; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing civil penalties; imposing taxes. The Legislature’s author table records the filing date as 2025-07-30.
It was filed and never referred to committee.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site deliberately does not score SB 53 (89th Legislature, 1st called session), so a record on it moves no number.
Why SB 53 is not scored
A hemp industry framework — licensing, permits and product rules. The project already declines to score this family (see 87R HB 3948): it can tighten or legitimise the market depending on its terms, and the direction is arguable.
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Vote2025-07-30
Recorded Nay on passage of SB 5 to engrossment on its second reading in the Texas Senate on 2025-07-30, in the first called session of the 89th Legislature. SB 5 is captioned "Relating to the regulation of certain products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and registrations; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing an administrative penalty."
The Senate Journal prints the whole roll: "SB 5 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 8. Yeas: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Blanco, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hall, A. Hinojosa, J. Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, King, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner, Sparks, West. Nays: Alvarado, Cook, Eckhardt, Gutierrez, Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Zaffirini. Absent-excused: Hagenbuch."
The printed surname Johnson is resolved against the Texas Senate roster to this member, who holds Senate District 16.
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Vote2025-08-01
Voted Nay on third reading of Senate Bill 5, the special-session successor covering the same subject, which passed the Senate 21 to 8. He is named in the printed Nays roll.
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Authored2025-08-15
Authored SB 31, filed in the second called session of the 89th Legislature, a bill relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, use, and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products and the local regulation of licensed cannabis growers, cannabis establishments, cannabis testing facilities, and cannabis secure transporters; providing for expunction of records relating to certain decriminalized conduct; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a tax.
The Legislature’s author table records the filing date as 2025-08-15. It was filed and never referred to committee.
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Authored2025-08-15
Authored SB 30, filed in the second called session of the 89th Legislature, a bill relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and permits; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing civil penalties; imposing taxes. The Legislature’s author table records the filing date as 2025-08-15.
It was filed and never referred to committee.
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Vote2025-08-18
Texas Senate: recorded Nay, and named in the printed Nays roll, on passage to engrossment of SB 6 on second reading, the second called session’s bill regulating consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids in them. The Journal records the vote as 22 Yeas, 8 Nays.
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Vote2025-08-18
Texas Senate: recorded Nay, and named in the printed Nays roll, on the motion to suspend the regular order of business to take up SB 6 of the second called session on its second reading, the bill regulating consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids in them. The motion prevailed 22 Yeas to 8 Nays. This is the procedural vote that brought the bill up; the Journal records the passage to engrossment that followed as "Same as previous roll call", and that vote is listed separately.
WeedVoter’s note — shown here, but not counted in the score: This site does not score procedural motions, such as suspending a rule, postponing, recommitting or reconsidering, because such a motion decides how a bill is handled rather than what it does, and its scoring rules read this record as one.
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Vote2025-08-19
Recorded Nay on third-reading passage of SB 6 of the second called session, the successor hemp-cannabinoid restriction bill, which carried 22 Yeas to 8 Nays. They are named in the printed Nays roll in the Senate Journal for that day.
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Said2025-11-19
In his official 89th Session Capitol Report newsletter, published on his Texas Senate member page, he wrote: "Believing that the state has the ability to regulate the THC industry while also keeping Texans safe, I filed SB 53 and SB 54 during the first called special session to both regulate hemp-derived THC and decriminalize recreational use of marijuana." The newsletter is undated; the date is the one the Senate’s newsletter archive gives it.
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Said2026-01-30
In the keynote conversation with Representative Drew Darby at the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference in Austin, said 2025 was a "strange year" in which the Senate "became, frankly, an anti-THC machine". He said: "The legislature fell asleep at the wheel while this industry grew. Lack of regulation invites collapse", and called for a regulatory framework: "We need a framework that protects consumers, supports responsible businesses, and avoids criminalizing people for making personal health decisions."
⚠️The reporting article gives no date for the panel, placing it only "last week". The date recorded here is established from the conference’s own programme, which lists the session "Keynote Conversation with Rep. Darby and Senator Johnson" among the Day 1 sessions of Friday, 30 January 2026, and lists neither speaker among the Day 2 sessions of Saturday, 31 January 2026. The conference ran 29–31 January 2026 at the University of Texas at Austin Thompson Conference Center, hosted by the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.
⚠️The quotes are a trade publication’s account of a live panel, not an official transcript, and no recording of the session was located.
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