New Bill in Texas Hopes to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

During a special legislative session, that was ordered by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a bill called HB 195 was introduced by state Representative Jessica González, that would legalize adult-use cannabis in the state (1,2). If passed, aside from legalization, adults who are 21 years old and older would be entitled to possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower in public (1). At home, individuals would be allowed to have in their possession, 10 ounces of cannabis flower and 15 g of concentrates. Ganjapreneur (1) reported that home cultivation would not be permitted in the bill.

To get the cannabis industry up and running the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (DLR) would establish cannabis production and sales regulations (1). Additionally, the DLR would in charge of handling licenses for retailers, testing facilities, cultivators, processors, and transporters. Licensing would be anticipated to begin around November 1, 2026 (1).

HB 195 does not allow for cannabis product packaging; for example, edibles, to replicate similar brand styling from commercial candy products and adds the requirement for products to have child-resistant packaging. The bill also asks for requirements to be added for seed-to-sale tracking and standards involving advertising, security, and pesticide use (1).

10% of revenue stemming from cannabis would go to the DLR for “program administration costs” (1), another 10% of the revenue would be given to the Texas Department of Safety which will be tasked with handling laboratory testing, and then 20% would be sent to “localities with at least one cannabis license.” Any funds that are leftover would be given to the Texas Education Agency’s Foundation School Program (1).

Ganjapreneur reported that as of now, HB 195 has not been assigned to any legislative committee (1).

References

1. Branfalt, T. Adult-use Cannabis Bill filed in Texas https://ganjapreneur.com/adult-use-cannabis-bill-filed-in-texas/ (accessed Jul 29, 2025).
2. HB 195 https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Actions.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB195 (accessed Jul 29, 2025).