Marijuana Moment: Texas Banning Cannabis Is An ‘Insane’ Form Of Corruption That Benefits Big Beer, Big Tobacco And Drug Cartels, Talarico Says

2026-08-07T12:28:06Z

The fact that Texas is keeping marijuana illegal while also moving to restrict hemp THC products is “insane,” Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico says.

It is also a form of corruption, he said in an interview with The Breakfast Club on Wednesday. “Think about what industries are most worried about THC products being readily available: Big Beer, Big Tobacco, right? And so they were the ones pushing this THC ban because it hurts their bottom line.”

“And a lot of research shows that THC—cannabis—these products are safer and less addictive than than beer or tobacco,” Talarico, who currently serves as a state representative, said. “And so to me, this is a prime example of what corruption looks like when you’ve got big industries buying politicians and pushing bills that harm people, but benefit them financially.”

The Democratic Senate candidate also noted that “a lot of young Texans, a lot of our veterans, they use THC products, for PTSD. Seniors use it.”

THC is now virtually banned in Texas.

Big Beer and Big Tobacco bought politicians to ban Delta-8 — because it's a threat to their profits.

That is corruption. pic.twitter.com/LyrJbzjFAr

— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) August 7, 2026

After Texas legalized hemp several years ago, it became “a booming industry in our state,” Talarico said.

But more recently, Texas regulators have moved to ban certain hemp-derived THC cannabis products, including those containing delta-8 and delta-10 THC. Now classified as Schedule I drugs, possession is treated as a felony, carrying a punishment of 180 days to two years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

The restrictions are being challenged with a federal lawsuit filed by hemp companies.

Talarico, for his part, said that criminalizing cannabis “is a gift to the drug cartels because Texans are going to keep smoking weed.”

“They’re going to keep eating edibles,” he said. “They’re not going to stop because some politicians told them to. But now, instead of supporting a local small business, they’re going to go get it on the black market.”

.@JamesTalarico: THC products are now virtually banned in the state of Texas. You have to have 3 DUIs to get a felony, and now just having Delta 8 can get you that felony. It’s insane.

This is because of corruption. Think about what industries are most worried about THC products… pic.twitter.com/C5XTE5A0o1

— Team Talarico (@TeamTalaricoHQ) August 6, 2026

“Texans can’t afford the basics. They can’t get ahead no matter how hard they work or how much they save,” Talarico said. “And you’re going to ban a product that gives them a little bit of peace. It just it just drives me crazy. We should be trying to make people’s lives easier, not making their lives harder.”

Talarico’s opponent for the Senate seat, state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), is no fan of cannabis reform.

As AG, he filed lawsuits to block several Texas cities from implementing local voter-approved laws to decriminalize marijuana.

Image element courtesy of AnonMoos.

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