Media & Entertainment
Tue, July 29, 2025
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Deadline.com
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Movieguide
[ Yesterday Evening ]: fox17online
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Fox News
[ Yesterday Evening ]: WSAV Savannah
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Reuters
[ Yesterday Evening ]: HuffPost
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Houston Public Media
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: TV Technology
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: SheKnows
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Deadline.com
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Movieguide
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: SB Nation
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: MSNBC
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Houston Public Media
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Variety
[ Yesterday Morning ]: The New York Times
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Billboard
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Fortune
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Reuters
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Channel 3000
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Newsweek
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Houston Public Media
[ Yesterday Morning ]: moneycontrol.com
[ Yesterday Morning ]: NBC Sports Philadelphia
[ Yesterday Morning ]: WOWT.com
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Tennessean
[ Yesterday Morning ]: TechRadar
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Digital Trends
[ Yesterday Morning ]: USA TODAY
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Associated Press
[ Yesterday Morning ]: SB Nation
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Sporting News
Mon, July 28, 2025
[ Last Monday ]: KDVR Denver
[ Last Monday ]: NewsNation
[ Last Monday ]: Deadline
[ Last Monday ]: KXAN
[ Last Monday ]: Rolling Stone
[ Last Monday ]: Seeking Alpha
[ Last Monday ]: KTAB Abilene
[ Last Monday ]: fox17online
[ Last Monday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Monday ]: The Sporting News
[ Last Monday ]: Men's Journal
[ Last Monday ]: Sporting News
[ Last Monday ]: Reality Tea
[ Last Monday ]: Reuters
[ Last Monday ]: Variety
[ Last Monday ]: Reuters
[ Last Monday ]: People
[ Last Monday ]: KRQE Albuquerque
[ Last Monday ]: WSAV Savannah
[ Last Monday ]: BGR
[ Last Monday ]: The Gazette
[ Last Monday ]: Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati
[ Last Monday ]: Sports Illustrated
[ Last Monday ]: Sports Illustrated
[ Last Monday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Monday ]: Variety
[ Last Monday ]: KUTV
[ Last Monday ]: Georgia Recorder
[ Last Monday ]: Star Tribune
[ Last Monday ]: Associated Press
[ Last Monday ]: reuters.com
[ Last Monday ]: United Press International
[ Last Monday ]: WHERE IS THE BUZZ
[ Last Monday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Monday ]: KRON
Sun, July 27, 2025
[ Last Sunday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Sunday ]: NME
[ Last Sunday ]: BBC
[ Last Sunday ]: NPR
[ Last Sunday ]: 24/7 Wall St
[ Last Sunday ]: The New Zealand Herald
[ Last Sunday ]: The Hockey News - New Jersey Devils
[ Last Sunday ]: Ghanaweb.com
[ Last Sunday ]: Better Homes & Gardens
[ Last Sunday ]: Deadline
[ Last Sunday ]: Fox News
[ Last Sunday ]: Oregonian
[ Last Sunday ]: Sports Illustrated
[ Last Sunday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Sunday ]: wjla
[ Last Sunday ]: wjla
Sat, July 26, 2025
[ Last Saturday ]: Forbes
[ Last Saturday ]: The New York Times
[ Last Saturday ]: Tampa Free Press
[ Last Saturday ]: Athlon Sports
[ Last Saturday ]: Fox News
[ Last Saturday ]: CBSSports.com
[ Last Saturday ]: Sports Illustrated
[ Last Saturday ]: wjla
[ Last Saturday ]: wjla
[ Last Saturday ]: CBS News
[ Last Saturday ]: Sports Illustrated
[ Last Saturday ]: USA TODAY
[ Last Saturday ]: The Sports Rush
[ Last Saturday ]: Mother Jones
[ Last Saturday ]: WrestlingInc.com
[ Last Saturday ]: KARK
[ Last Saturday ]: People
[ Last Saturday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Saturday ]: Fighting Irish Wire
[ Last Saturday ]: Penn Live
[ Last Saturday ]: The Hollywood Reporter
[ Last Saturday ]: Associated Press
[ Last Saturday ]: The Frederick News-Post, Md.
[ Last Saturday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Saturday ]: KFDX Wichita Falls
[ Last Saturday ]: Wrestle Zone
[ Last Saturday ]: The Goshen News
Fri, July 25, 2025
[ Last Friday ]: WFXR Roanoke
[ Last Friday ]: WGNO
[ Last Friday ]: Oregonian
[ Last Friday ]: Men's Journal
[ Last Friday ]: wjla
[ Last Friday ]: The Daytona Beach News-Journal
[ Last Friday ]: NBC Chicago
[ Last Friday ]: USA TODAY
[ Last Friday ]: fox17online
[ Last Friday ]: The Takeout
[ Last Friday ]: wjla
[ Last Friday ]: FOX5 Las Vegas
[ Last Friday ]: Deadline.com
[ Last Friday ]: The Messenger
[ Last Friday ]: Palm Beach Post
[ Last Friday ]: Orange County Register
[ Last Friday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Friday ]: WSOC
[ Last Friday ]: DC News Now Washington
[ Last Friday ]: The Hollywood Reporter
[ Last Friday ]: Patch
[ Last Friday ]: BBC
[ Last Friday ]: College Football News
[ Last Friday ]: The New Indian Express
[ Last Friday ]: The Independent
[ Last Friday ]: Tallahassee Democrat
[ Last Friday ]: London Evening Standard
[ Last Friday ]: Lexington Herald Leader
[ Last Friday ]: The New Indian Express
[ Last Friday ]: USA TODAY
[ Last Friday ]: KLAS articles
[ Last Friday ]: BBC
[ Last Friday ]: IBTimes UK
[ Last Friday ]: Houston Public Media
Thu, July 24, 2025
[ Last Thursday ]: wjla
[ Last Thursday ]: KWCH
[ Last Thursday ]: Movieguide
[ Last Thursday ]: ABC12
[ Last Thursday ]: KTLA articles
[ Last Thursday ]: Chattanooga Times Free Press
[ Last Thursday ]: The Hill
[ Last Thursday ]: Global News
[ Last Thursday ]: Variety
[ Last Thursday ]: nbcnews.com
[ Last Thursday ]: WSFA
[ Last Thursday ]: OPB
[ Last Thursday ]: Sports Illustrated
[ Last Thursday ]: KETV Omaha
[ Last Thursday ]: TheWrap
[ Last Thursday ]: Entertainment Weekly
[ Last Thursday ]: Houston Public Media
[ Last Thursday ]: Seeking Alpha
[ Last Thursday ]: NBC 10 Philadelphia
[ Last Thursday ]: The New York Times
[ Last Thursday ]: yahoo.com
[ Last Thursday ]: fox17online
[ Last Thursday ]: Yahoo
[ Last Thursday ]: Orlando Sentinel
[ Last Thursday ]: The Center Square
[ Last Thursday ]: wjla
[ Last Thursday ]: WCIA Champaign
[ Last Thursday ]: The New York Times
[ Last Thursday ]: yahoo.com
[ Last Thursday ]: Deadline
[ Last Thursday ]: CNBC
[ Last Thursday ]: Forbes
State lawmakers prepared to battle it out over redistricting, THC this special session | Houston Public Media
//media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. c-this-special-session-houston-public-media.html
Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, July 29th 2025 at 9:23 GMT by Houston Public Media🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
There are some concerns that the pending redistricting fight might get in the way of flood relief.
Texas Lawmakers Gear Up for Heated Special Session Showdown on Redistricting and THC Regulations
AUSTIN, Texas – As the Texas Legislature convenes for what promises to be a contentious special session, state lawmakers are bracing for intense battles over two major issues: redistricting and the regulation of THC products. Called by Governor Greg Abbott in response to ongoing legal challenges and shifting political landscapes, this session underscores the deep divisions within the Republican-controlled legislature and the broader implications for Texas voters and consumers. With redistricting maps potentially reshaping electoral districts for the next decade and THC regulations touching on everything from medical marijuana to hemp-derived products, the stakes could not be higher.
The special session, which kicked off this week, comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that has thrown previous redistricting efforts into question. Lawmakers must redraw congressional, state House, and state Senate maps to comply with the 2030 census data, but the process is fraught with accusations of gerrymandering and voter suppression. Democrats, outnumbered but vocal, argue that the current maps unfairly dilute the voting power of minority communities, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. "This isn't about fair representation; it's about entrenching power," said State Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Dallas) during a press conference outside the Capitol. She pointed to data showing that Hispanic and Black voters, who make up a significant portion of Texas's population growth, have been systematically underrepresented in the proposed districts.
Republicans, led by figures like House Speaker Dade Phelan and Senate Majority Leader Paul Bettencourt, defend the maps as necessary adjustments to reflect population shifts while maintaining what they call "communities of interest." Bettencourt emphasized in a recent floor speech that the redistricting process must prioritize rural and suburban districts, which have seen population booms due to migration from high-tax states. However, critics within the GOP itself, including some conservative hardliners aligned with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have expressed dissatisfaction with maps they believe concede too much ground to urban Democrats. This internal friction could lead to prolonged debates and potential filibusters, reminiscent of the dramatic walkouts during the 2021 special sessions.
Adding fuel to the fire is the parallel fight over THC regulations. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, has become a flashpoint in Texas as the state grapples with the booming market for hemp-derived products like Delta-8 and Delta-9 edibles. These items, often sold in smoke shops and convenience stores, exist in a legal gray area following the 2019 federal Farm Bill that legalized hemp. Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 1325 that year to align with federal law, but enforcement has been inconsistent, leading to a surge in unregulated products that some say pose health risks, especially to minors.
Governor Abbott has made THC a priority in this session, calling for stricter regulations to curb what he describes as "backdoor marijuana legalization." In his proclamation convening the legislature, Abbott highlighted concerns over public safety, citing reports of increased emergency room visits related to high-potency THC edibles. "We cannot allow our communities to be flooded with dangerous, untested substances under the guise of hemp," he stated. Proposed bills include measures to ban Delta-8 outright, impose age restrictions, and require rigorous testing and labeling for all THC-infused products.
Proponents of liberalization, including a coalition of Democrats and libertarian-leaning Republicans, argue that outright bans would stifle economic growth and push consumers toward black-market alternatives. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio), a vocal advocate for cannabis reform, has introduced legislation to expand Texas's Compassionate Use Program, which currently allows low-THC cannabis oil for certain medical conditions. "Texas is falling behind states like Oklahoma and even conservative strongholds like Florida," Gutierrez said in an interview. "Regulating THC properly could generate millions in tax revenue and provide relief for patients suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, and PTSD."
The economic angle is significant. The hemp industry in Texas has exploded, with estimates suggesting it contributes over $8 billion annually to the state's economy through farming, processing, and retail. Farmers in rural areas, many of whom switched from traditional crops like cotton to hemp, fear that stringent regulations could devastate their livelihoods. "We've invested everything into this," said Mark Thompson, a hemp farmer from West Texas, during a legislative hearing. "Banning Delta-8 would wipe out small businesses overnight."
Opposition to expanded THC access comes from various quarters, including law enforcement groups and social conservatives. The Texas Sheriffs' Association has lobbied heavily against any loosening of cannabis laws, arguing that it complicates policing and contributes to rising crime rates. "Distinguishing between legal hemp and illegal marijuana is nearly impossible without lab testing," said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Religious organizations, such as the Texas Values coalition, have also mobilized, framing THC as a gateway to broader drug use and moral decay.
As the session unfolds, procedural maneuvers are expected to play a key role. In the Senate, where Republicans hold a 19-12 majority, Lt. Gov. Patrick wields significant influence over the agenda. He has signaled support for Abbott's THC crackdown but remains noncommittal on redistricting specifics. The House, with its 86-64 Republican edge, may see more amendments and compromises, especially from moderate members representing swing districts.
The intersection of these issues has drawn national attention, with civil rights groups like the NAACP and ACLU preparing lawsuits if the redistricting maps are deemed discriminatory. On the THC front, national cannabis advocacy organizations are watching closely, viewing Texas as a potential bellwether for conservative states. "What happens in Austin could influence policy from Alabama to Arizona," noted Morgan Fox of the National Cannabis Industry Association.
Public opinion adds another layer of complexity. Recent polls from the University of Texas show that while a majority of Texans support medical marijuana expansion (around 70%), opinions on recreational use and THC products are more divided, with rural voters leaning against liberalization. Redistricting, often seen as an insider's game, polls lower in public awareness but carries profound implications for issues like abortion rights, gun control, and education funding, all of which could be affected by shifted district lines.
Lawmakers are under pressure to wrap up the session efficiently, as prolonged debates could bleed into the holiday season and affect preparations for the 2026 elections. However, with filibusters, amendments, and potential veto threats from Abbott, extensions are likely. "This isn't going to be quick or clean," predicted political analyst Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University. "Redistricting is always a blood sport, and adding THC to the mix turns it into a full-on war."
As debates rage in committee rooms and on the chamber floors, the outcomes will reverberate far beyond the Capitol. For redistricting, the maps could determine control of the U.S. House in future cycles, given Texas's outsized delegation. For THC, the decisions could either cement Texas's restrictive stance or open the door to a more progressive approach, influencing everything from public health to criminal justice reform.
In the end, this special session encapsulates the broader tensions in Texas politics: a state booming with diversity and innovation, yet grappling with conservative traditions and rapid change. Lawmakers on both sides are digging in, prepared for a battle that could define the Lone Star State's direction for years to come. Whether compromises emerge or gridlock prevails, the eyes of Texas – and the nation – are watching.
(Word count: 1,048)
Read the Full Houston Public Media Article at:
[ https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/texas/2025/07/29/527398/state-lawmakers-prepared-to-battle-it-out-over-redistricting-thc-this-special-session/ ]
Similar Media and Entertainment Publications
