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.
- 2026-09-09 questionnaire — Chose "Strongly Support" on maintaining a legal hemp marketplace and said Texas should regulate the industry rather than eliminate it, which is a clear direction. Scored lower than the other respondents in this batch because on THC specifically the answer described a medical-only market with "strict controls against diversion or recreational sales", rather than a market open to adults generally, counted as +1 at weight 2
Average on the −2 to +2 scale: 1. Full method and the bill table.
-
Questionnaire2026-09-09
Said Texas should preserve legal hemp and CBD products, but would limit THC sales to patients with a qualifying medical need, in the Texas Hemp Business Council’s 2026 candidate questionnaire. The council is a hemp industry trade association; it put twenty questions to 223 candidates for the Texas Legislature and statewide office and publishes the answers it receives in full, without editing. These are the candidate’s own words, submitted by the candidate.
Asked about the future of hemp in Texas, the answer was, in full: "My vision is for Texas to have a strong, responsible hemp industry that supports farmers, small businesses, jobs, and legitimate consumer products while protecting public health. I support preserving legal hemp and CBD products and allowing carefully regulated THC products for legitimate medicinal purposes. Texas should establish clear, consistent rules that give responsible businesses certainty while keeping intoxicating products away from children.
I would support age restrictions where appropriate, accurate labeling and dosage information, independent product testing, child-resistant packaging, licensing and enforcement standards, and penalties for businesses that violate the law. Rather than eliminating the hemp industry, Texas should regulate it responsibly. We can protect consumers, preserve access for patients who benefit from these products, and allow law-abiding Texas hemp businesses to continue contributing to our economy."
Asked who should be permitted to sell THC, to whom and with what safeguards: "I support a tightly regulated medical THC market. Licensed dispensaries should sell THC only to patients with qualifying medical needs under a healthcare provider’s guidance, with reasonable dosage limits and clearly labeled, tested products. Safeguards should include age verification, child-resistant packaging, independent testing, accurate potency labeling, and strict controls against diversion or recreational sales."
On the questionnaire’s fixed-choice questions: on maintaining a legal, regulated hemp marketplace, "Strongly Support"; on whether regulation is preferable to prohibition where a product can be made and sold safely, "Yes"; on retail regulation, "Local licensing in addition to state requirements". The date is the date the council recorded the submission, in Central time.
texashempbusinesscouncil.com, texashempbusinesscouncil.com, texashempbusinesscouncil.com, texashempbusinesscouncil.com