Tag: texas

Texas Senate Passes Bill To Ban Hemp-Derived THC Products As New Poll Shows Voters Support Keeping Market Legal

The Texas Senate has approved a bill that cannabis advocates and stakeholders say would effectively eradicate the state’s hemp industry, prohibiting consumable products derived from the plant that contain any amount of THC.

This comes as a new poll shows overwhelming public support for keeping consumable hemp products legal, while strictly regulated.

With the backing of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R)—who held a press conference criticizing the hemp market on Wednesday after visiting stores that sell cannabinoid products—the hemp ban legislation from Sen. Charles Perry (R) passed the full chamber in a 24-7 vote.

Under the bill, only non-intoxicating CBD and CBG items could be sold, even though hemp with up to 0.3 percent THC by dry weight was legalized at the federal level in 2018. Supporters argue that re-criminalizing cannabis with any traces of THC is necessary to close a loophole in the state’s own hemp law that’s allowed for the proliferation of businesses selling intoxicating products.

“For those that argue that this should just be more regulation and tax, there’s not enough tax that we can collect that will deal with the behavioral health issues and the addictions that we currently face,” Perry said on the Senate floor. “It would be in the billions. It’s unenforceable because every day a new product hits the shelf that was at the whim of a chemist.”

“What they have created and what they’re doing is akin to K2 and Spice and bath salts of the past that we as a legislature voted out of existence as soon as possible,” he said. “The effect of what this drug is doing to the people that are involved in it—contrary to what you hear—is devastating lives. It’s generational. It is creating psychosis. It’s creating paranoia.”

Senators approved a series of amendments from the sponsor on the floor on Monday, including one that would require all consumable hemp products to be tested and federal Drug Enforcement Administration- (DEA) certified labs based in Texas.

Another Perry amendment that was adopted mandates that consumable hemp products be registered with the state Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Each product registration would carry a $500 fee, and they could not could not contain any non-cannabinoid mood-altering ingredients or additives. It would be a Class B misdemeanor to sell an unregistered product.

The body also passed an amendment to make it a felony offense for to operate a hemp manufacturing or retail business without a license or permit.

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Texas Senator Files Bill To Support Research On Psychedelic Therapy For PTSD And Depression

A Texas senator has introduced a bill to require studies on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in the treatment of serious mental health conditions.

Sen. César Blanco (D) filed the legislation on Friday. It aims to facilitate the studies—which would be conducted by medical schools at two Texas universities—to better understand the possible benefits of psychedelics for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Researchers at Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin would be tasked with researching the existing scientific literature around psychedelics, actions made by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and potential strategies to provide access to the novel medicines.

The study would involve an evaluation of “patient access to current treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other co-occurring conditions and recommend legislative or other actions necessary to ensure patient access to psychedelic therapies following approval” by FDA, “including considerations of provider availability, affordability, accessibility, training and licensure, and other regulatory requirements.”

Substances within the scope of the review include psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine, according to the bill’s text.

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Texas Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Criminalize ‘Gender Identity Fraud’

A Texas lawmaker is taking new steps to regulate “gender identity” policies, proposing a bill that would make it a felony to misrepresent biological sex on official documents.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Conroe), is part of the state’s broader effort to define gender recognition strictly by biological sex. House Bill 3817 seeks to create a new criminal offense called “gender identity fraud.” 

Under the measure, knowingly providing false gender information to a government agency or employer—if it contradicts biological sex—could result in up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

The bill comes as Texas continues to battle over gender markers on state-issued IDs. Last year, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) implemented a policy barring gender marker changes that do not align with biological sex, according to Just the News. 

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InfoWars Host Swatted 2x in past Day in Texas, Comes after Another Journalist Murdered

Chase Geiser is a host on Alex Jones’ InfoWars and the author of the book “The Rise of American Populism.” Geiser has appeared on various platforms, including “The Alex Jones Show,” “Timcast,” and “Newsmax.”

Geiser said on X today that he has been swatted twice in the past 24 hours.

SWATing is a criminal harassment tactic in which an individual makes a false emergency report—often involving claims of a hostage situation, active shooter, or other violent threat—to provoke a heavily armed police response to a victim’s home or workplace. The goal is to intimidate, harass, or retaliate against the target by causing them to face a dangerous law enforcement encounter.

SWATing can result in serious injuries or even death, as officers responding to the fabricated threat arrive expecting a high-risk situation. The practice has been used against journalists, politicians, activists, and online personalities, especially in politically charged environments.

Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have begun treating SWATing as a serious federal offense, with perpetrators facing charges such as false reporting, fraud, and making terroristic threats, carrying severe legal penalties.

Online, some have speculated that the responding police were negligent in responding to his address in the same charged way, twice in the same 24 hour period. They note that his address should have been flagged as a potential political target.

The militant political left has regularly used domestic terrorism tactics like these against the right. Rarely does law enforcement take action to prosecute the offenders.

Alex Jones is claiming Gen. Mike Flynn warned him that he’s on a Ukrainian Hit list.

Ukraine is also accused of killing right-wing journalist Gonzalo Lira in January 2024, while Lira was in custody of the country’s law enforcement.

The right-wing internet personality Phillip Buchanan, known online as “Catturd,” was also swatted in 2023.

This comes in the wake of InfoWars reporter Jamie White’s murder on the streets of Austin, Texas outside of his apartment complex Chandelier Apartments at 2336 Douglas St., Austin, in a parking lot. The suspects fled, and the police do not have anyone yet in custody.

Jones has said that he believes White was on a “Ukraine Hit List.”

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Cop Arrested for Child Sex Abuse, Planting Cameras in 6th Grade Girl’s Bedroom

Another day, another cop exposed for horrific crimes against children—this time, a high-ranking veteran of the Houston Police Department (HPD). Daryn Blake Edwards, a 32-year veteran and former captain, has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, possession of child pornography, and sexual performance of a child—charges so vile they are difficult to stomach.

According to court documents, Edwards began molesting his victim—identified as Jane Doe—when she was in the sixth grade. Over the past year alone, she reported being assaulted between 85 and 100 times. The abuse wasn’t limited to physical assault; Edwards allegedly installed hidden cameras in her bedroom to record her without her knowledge, further violating her privacy and humanity.

A Predator in Uniform

The shocking allegations detail a pattern of systematic grooming and coercion. Edwards reportedly added his victim on Snapchat and Instagram, using the apps to send explicit messages and solicit nude photos. He even resorted to bribery, offering her money in exchange for sexually explicit images. Disturbingly, he allegedly threatened her with a folder of compromising photos, saying it would “ruin her life” if she didn’t comply.

Investigators discovered that Edwards kept multiple hidden cameras throughout his house, recording minors in various explicit situations. Police have since seized his personal and HPD-issued cell phones as part of the investigation, and his home in League City has been searched under a warrant.

A Long, Corrupt Career

Despite these charges, Edwards was not some low-level beat cop. He spent three decades moving up the ranks at HPD, overseeing divisions like burglary and theft, cyber and financial crimes, and Southwest Patrol. He was even promoted to assistant chief in 2020, before being demoted following the Astroworld tragedy. Despite his past disciplinary issues—including a 2023 written reprimand for policy violations—he remained in a position of power until his arrest.

This raises the question: How many red flags were ignored? How many other officers looked the other way? How long did this abuse go unchecked? These are the kinds of questions police unions and “thin blue line” apologists don’t want the public asking.

HPD has since announced that Edwards has been “relieved of duty” pending an internal affairs investigation—a toothless statement given the heinous nature of his alleged crimes. The reality is that police departments routinely protect their own, even when faced with overwhelming evidence of criminal behavior.

Consider the implications: This man had access to crime scenes, evidence lockers, and confidential databases for decades. He held a position of authority and public trust while allegedly committing some of the worst crimes imaginable. Yet, had he not been caught, he would still be wearing a badge today.

This case is yet another glaring example of systemic corruption within U.S. law enforcement. If a high-ranking police captain can get away with this for years, what else is happening behind closed doors?

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Austin police say InfoWars writer Jamie White possibly killed by car burglars

The InfoWars writer who Alex Jones, the founder of the conspiracy website, said was “brutally murdered” late Sunday was possibly killed by people burglarizing his vehicle, according to the Austin Police Department.

Police said in a statement Tuesday that Jamie White, 36, was found lying on the ground in the parking lot of the apartment complex where he lived, with trauma to his body. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 12:19 a.m. Monday, the department said.

“The initial investigation shows that White was shot and killed in the parking lot of the apartment complex in which he lived,” the statement said. “The suspects then fled the scene. Detectives believe the suspects were possibly burglarizing White’s vehicle, when he interrupted them.”

White’s body is in the possession of the the Travis County medical examiner’s office, county spokesman Hector Nieto confirmed.

The Police Department is asking that anyone in the area who may have had their vehicle burglarized Sunday or Monday, to come forward. Photos, videos, or potential evidence, can be submitted online.

In a statement released on social media Monday evening, Jones said White had been a “reporter” for the far-right site. White’s most recent article was published a day before his death.

“We pledge that Jamie’s tragic death will not be in vain, and those responsible for this senseless violence will be brought to justice,” Jones said in a statement that blamed White’s death “in part” on the policies of Travis County District Attorney José Garza, a Democrat.

Garza dismissed Jones’ claim in a statement provided to the American-Statesman.

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InfoWars Reporter Brutally Murdered in Austin — Alex Jones Blames Policies of Soros-Backed District Attorney

An InfoWars reporter was brutally murdered in Austin on Sunday evening, Alex Jones has announced.

Posting on the X platform, Alex Jones said the murder of Jamie White was the result of the local Soros-backed District Attorney Jose Garza.

Jones wrote:

We are deeply saddened to inform you that InfoWars Reporter Jamie White was brutally murdered around midnight Sunday night due, in part, to the policies of the Soros Austin, TX D.A. Jose Garza.

We pledge that Jamie’s tragic death will not be in vain, and those responsible for this senseless violence will be brought to justice.

Jamie’s important work will be carried on through InfoWars, our readers, and our cherished listeners.

Homicide detectives are currently investigating the incident.

Law enforcement have not revealed exactly how he was murdered except that he suffered major trauma and died in hospital.

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‘Just Normal Doctoring’ — a Texas Doctor’s Eyewitness Report on Measles Outbreak

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday cheered the use of what The New York Times called “unconventional treatments” for measles, noting that Texas doctors had seen “very, very good” results using the remedies during the recent measles outbreak in Gaines County.

Treatments included cod liver oil — a food-based source of vitamin A and vitamin D — budesonide, a steroid used to relieve inflammation affecting the airways, and clarithromycin, an antibiotic.

In an exclusive interview with The Defender, Dr. Ben Edwards shared the backstory on the positive results that he and other Texas doctors have recently seen using those treatments in responding to the West Texas measles outbreak.

The “standard of care” treatment for measles is supportive care including fever reducers, cough suppressants and fluids, Edwards said. Texas Medical Board Rule 200 allows for Texas physicians to also offer “complementary and alternative” treatment options, in which he is well versed.

According to Edwards, the Feb. 26 death of a Texas child who tested positive for measles might have been prevented if hospital staff had given her breathing treatments, such as budesonide.

“Budesonide has historically been used in asthma exacerbations,” Edwards said, “but during COVID, many physicians learned of its very beneficial role in treating the inflammation triggered by respiratory viruses.”

Edwards is an integrative medicine family practitioner in Lubbock who runs a private practice serving roughly 2,000 patients. Lubbock is about an hour and a half north of Gaines County, where the current case number is highest, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

On Saturday, March 2, Edwards received a call from Gaines County resident Tina Siemens. “Tina said that little girl who died, her parents were real worried about the four other siblings that were all younger. Could I come see them?”

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Texas Company Lands On Moon In “First Successful Commercial Landing” 

Firefly Aerospace’s “Blue Ghost” lander became the first private spacecraft to successfully land on the Moon after descending from lunar orbit early Sunday morning.

Firefly confirmed on X around 0336 ET that the 6.6-foot-tall lander “stuck the landing” and “became the first commercial company in history to achieve a fully successful Moon landing. This small step on the Moon represents a giant leap in commercial exploration,” adding this “paves the way for future missions to the Moon and Mars.” 

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Texas Reports Death of Child Who Tested Positive for Measles, But Releases Few Details

Texas health authorities today announced the death of a child who tested positive for measles, setting off a spate of media reports blaming the measles outbreaks in Texas in New Mexico on declining vaccination rates.

Some doctors and scientists pushed back, saying too little information about the child’s health has been released so far to assume that a measles vaccine would have prevented the death.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas DSHS) reported what it called “the first death from measles in the ongoing outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions.”

The health department said the child was “school-aged,” unvaccinated, had been hospitalized in Lubbock last week and “tested positive for measles.”

Texas DSHS did not disclose the child’s sex, age, general health status or medical history. The agency also did not say what course of treatment the child received after being diagnosed with measles, or what strain of measles the child had.

The Associated Press (AP), under the headline, “An unvaccinated child has died in the Texas measles outbreak,” reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the child’s death is the first measles death in the U.S. since 2015.

Other media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, reposted the AP’s report, which noted that vaccination rates have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic and most states are now below “the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.”

But Brian Hooker, Ph.D., Children’s Health Defense (CHD) chief scientific officer, said it’s too early to assume that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which targets measles, would have prevented the child’s death.

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