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Texas Crime Labs Say They Don’t Have Enough Resources To Test Hemp Products For THC As Lawmakers Consider Ban

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6 months ago

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“I will be Fentanyl Priority Before Hemp, and all dollars that test drugs is a dollar that I don’t try a sexual attack kit.”

Stephen Simpson, Texas Tribune

As a legislative Texas disputeEE Whether thc products are regulated or banned, state crime laboratory officials say that resources do not exceed the law.

“Compassionate crime, we don’t have a dog in that struggle. I don’t care what I need to test, and then I need the result so I can give this result” Peter StoutThe President of the Houston Forensic Science Center and Director General, Texas Tribune said after Texas Tribune after testifying the House on the Public Health Commission on Wednesday. “Otherwise, I become the reason why the wheel falls from this wagon, basically been the last six years now.”

Focused on the Audience of the Wednesday Commission House 5. BillCannabidiola and other non-cannabinoids that would create a ban on products that are non-cannabinoids, CBD and CBG, known as cannabis components. This invoice would delete most hemp products, including legal under the federal definition.

“There have been many new and synthetic cannabinoids and consumer effects, and these products have been easily available,” Rep. Gary VankaverR-Boston New Boston, Committee chair and HB 5 author. “Some of these products are marketed in a way attractive for children, such as ordinary food products, like sweets.”

The version of the Senate invoice also requires a ban, but Gov. Greg Abbott this year, this year, this year, he observed similar legislation that would prohibit thc, signaled that some legislators support more regulations through a ban.

Kim Carmichael, Spokesperson for Homemade Spokespersons Dustin BurrowsR-Lubbock said Texas Tribune did not ban the house.

“HB 5 submitted as a regular invoice for those who passed the house in the usual session, as well as the logical starting point for negotiations,” Carmichael said. “Since the passage of this form, members believed they thought they should start the debate again. It would still be heard in the process of public hearing and the flooring, so it is not known at the moment.”

On Wednesday legislators invited experts about Thc’s health risks, which emphasize the industry is impossible for network crimes and enforcement task.

Alice AmmilhatThe main collaborating member of the Crime Labidatory Sefidings Sefiding told the law that DPS Crime Lab is equalized with demands, and whatever legislators decide, it will be an expensive process.

“I don’t have financial statements, but if the ban is passed, the testing process will be easier, but the problem we don’t know if it will also increase the case,” he said. “We don’t know how many cases they will be included, we don’t know how much confiscation, we don’t know that the enforcement of the law needs our help.”

Texas crime laboratories found in any situation that can be regulated by THC. If the ban is passed, the tests will be quite simple, because all crime laboratories should determine if there is substance, but it still means more cases. It is not forbidden, rather than THC regulations can drive up its caselodes and the process of testing can be more expensive and time consumed, if necessary, per substances should be perceived in the permit. Two scenarios are not unbearable for crime laboratories, who fight dead drugs, with the resources currently.

“There are only 266 drug chemicals in the state,” said law managers. “I pay attention to Fentanyl, and you guess (THC) (THC), then I will invest in testing equipment and other things.”

Throughout the Stout of the Stout Criminal laboratories have retreated in cases where hundreds of thousand depth reaches, and compared to sexual assault and firearms, Thc will test the lesser.

“I had the voice that I don’t have investments in Houston at the scale we probably need, because I can’t keep fentanyl with pills,” said the tribune. “So I will be Fentanyl priority before hemp, and testing drugs every dollar I spend a dollar is a dollar that I don’t try a sexual attack kit.”

DPS Half of the Court Work carried out in the state and the rest of the municipal, regional or regional laboratories are managed. Each has a source of funding that can be inconsistent, but not enough, according to crime laboratories.

Stout said the average crime laboratory of the country obtains about $ 600 in financing for each case, as laboratories require $ 2,500 per person to cover employees, time and equipment. He said, beyond the money problem, the time consuming the nature of training is concern, and there is no license for drug chemists waiting for work.

“We have resources under the Court Laboratory so long, there is no pipeline or workplace,” he said. “People are not there, and there is no money.”

A Continuous challenges It has been cases of resolving years in crime laboratories. Crime laboratories do not have work load control, any substance or case enforcement decides to focus on crime laboratories, whether they are ready.

“Okay, boy, you need me to respond to that sex attack kit and that homicide, which you want to do first?” Stout said. “Because we can’t do it all. Help me here.”

Stout said crime laboratories need more money and time.

“And that’s what this isn’t wrong, that no one wants to hear. They want to give us a big money and go to other things, but it doesn’t work like that, he said.

This article originally appeared Texas Tribune in https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/08/08/09,.

The Texas Tribuna is a member equipped with members, but is not in Texans State politics and politics. Learn more in Texastribune.org.

Photo courtesy Kimzy Nanney.

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Oklahoma Governor wants to shut down medical cannabis program

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23 minutes ago

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February 4, 2026

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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt he said He wants to return the state’s medical marijuana program to voters. In his State of the State address, Stitt called for a state question in 2026 for citizens to decide whether to end the program, citing concerns about “bad actors” and criminal influence.

Dispensary owner Dana Herrick he reacted to the adHe noted that in 2018 medical cannabis was approved by voters. Herrick said the program gave patients access to drugs and raised questions about what returning the issue to a public vote would mean for existing companies.

The state’s medical cannabis system has grown since 2018. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority oversees growers, processors and dispensaries with more than 1,500 active licenses. Regulators have implemented measures such as credential checks and a temporary moratorium on new licenses to manage the industry’s growth.










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Virginia Senators Approve Bills To Legalize Marijuana Sales And Provide Resentencing Relief To People With Prior Convictions

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28 minutes ago

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February 4, 2026

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Virginia senators have passed a pair of bills to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana and reduce penalties for people with prior cannabis convictions.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 9-6 on Wednesday to advance legislation for Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) to sell marijuana. Members also voted 12-TK3 to approve Senate President Louise Lucas’ (D) anti-cannabis measure.

Both measures then go to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, potentially before reaching a date.

Aird told colleagues in Wednesday’s speech that his bill “establishes a marketplace that protects consumers and puts health and safety first, ensures a balance in our regulatory framework that ensures legalization is consistent with public health and safety goals, and avoids past mistakes built into alcohol laws that allow the legal substance to continue to be criminalized.”

“I know there’s interest in aligning the approach we take in this legislation with (the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s) enforcement structure, but if we do that too narrowly, we risk building a legal system that relies on arrests, mandatory fines, mandatory minimums, prison sentences and low-level offenses,” he said. “And that approach has failed with alcohol and will fail again for cannabis.”

The panel accepted several amendments from Sen. Scott Surovell (D), the panel’s chairman, over Aird’s objection.

Among the changes are amendments to “essentially align the penalties for the illegal sale of alcohol with the illegal sale of marijuana,” Surovell said, bringing the penalties for minors in possession of cannabis on par with those for alcohol.

Another bench-approved amendment adds criminal penalties for buying marijuana from an unlicensed dealer.




Marijuana Justice’s Chelsea Higgs Wise supported the overall bill, but expressed concern about the recently passed criminal amendments, calling it “a step backwards.”

A representative of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP also said, “If we really want to prepare our children for success, we’re not going to criminalize them, but we’re going to figure out how to support them so they can make better choices.”

JM Pedini, director of development for advocacy group NORML and executive director of Virginia NORML, told Marijuana Moment that the organization is “deeply concerned about committee members’ re-criminalization of cannabis users and mandatory minimum approvals for marijuana.”

“It is particularly troubling that as this body moves to address resentment of marijuana-related penalties, it is simultaneously entertaining new ways to further criminalize consumers,” Pedini said.

Approval of the amended sales invoice comes in about a week The House General Laws Committee approved a supplemental version of the legislationDel. Paul Krizek (D).

As passed in committee, the legislation is largely in line with recommendations released by the legislature in December. Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition to the Commonwealth Retail Cannabis Market.

Since legalizing cannabis ownership and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia lawmakers have been working to establish a commercial marijuana market– Only for those efforts to stall under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who twice vetoed measures sent to his desk by the Legislature.

the senate the version calls for sales to begin on January 1, 2027, while the House bill stipulates that the sale of cannabis for adult consumption can begin on November 1 of this year.

Here are the main details of Virginia’s legal marijuana sales legislation:

  • Adults would be able to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a single transaction, or up to an equivalent amount of other cannabis products, as determined by regulators.
  • The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would oversee licensing and regulation of the new industry. Its board of directors would have the authority to control the possession, sale, transportation, distribution, delivery and testing of marijuana.
  • A tax of up to 12.625 percent would apply to the retail sale of any cannabis product. That would include a 1.125 percent state retail and use tax on top of a new 8 percent marijuana-specific tax. Local governments can charge an additional 3.5 percent.
  • The tax revenue would be divided between the costs of administering and enforcing the state’s marijuana system, a new Cannabis Equity Investment Fund, pre-kindergarten programs, substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs, and public health programs such as awareness campaigns designed to prevent drug-impaired driving and discourage underage use.
  • Local governments could not allow marijuana companies to operate in their area.
  • Delivery services would be allowed.
  • Serving sizes would be limited to 10 milligrams of THC, with no more than 100 mg of THC per package.
  • Existing medical cannabis operators could enter the adult-use market if they pay a $10 million license conversion fee.
  • Cannabis businesses should implement peaceful labor agreements with their employees.
  • A legislative committee would direct the addition of local consumer licenses and micro-enterprise cannabis event permits that would allow licensees to hold sales at farmers markets or pop-up locations. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority would also investigate the possibility of involvement in marijuana regulation and enforcement.

Just sworn Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) supports legalizing the sale of marijuana to adults.

Another cannabis law passed by a Senate committee Wednesday would require people with certain felonies to automatically receive resentencing hearings and adjust their sentences. A Del. Rozia Henson, Jr. Also advanced House Companion version of (D). recently

The legislation would create a process for people who are incarcerated or under community supervision for certain crimes involving the possession, manufacture, sale or distribution of marijuana to receive an automatic sentencing hearing.

The invoice It applies to people with convictions or convictions for conduct that occurred before July 1, 2021, when a state law that legalized personal possession and home cultivation of marijuana went into effect.

The panel approved some technical changes before passing the legislation.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

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Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers have introduced other marijuana-related legislation for the 2026 session, among other things. allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in hospitals.

Separately, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry has published a new defining workplace protections for cannabis users.

Mike Latimer’s photo.

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Gavita International launches Agrolux Operating System

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1 day ago

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February 3, 2026

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During Fruit Logistica, Gavita International launches the future Agrolux Operating System and the LYRA modular product platform. “The latest developments highlight Gavita International’s evolution into a fully integrated solution that supports growers throughout the crop cycle,” says CEO Marc Salvany.

After the management buyout on October 1, 2025, Gavita International is led by Marc Salvany (CEO) and Ad van der Vorst (CFO). With the launch of the Agrolux Actuator System, Gavita International is presenting not only a future-ready platform, but also its new strategic location: this presentation is the basis for the future developments of the globally operating lighting systems supplier.

The launch of the Agrolux brand underlines the company’s strategic move towards a fully integrated solution for professional growers.

© Agrolux

Agrolux Operating System
“The Agrolux Operating System is a future-proof and user-friendly platform that enables professional farmers to improve performance, efficiency and return on investment, while actively contributing to a more sustainable, circular and resilient horticultural ecosystem,” explained Marc. “It supports electrical power and wireless communication, the Horticultural Lighting Protocol (HLP), and can work seamlessly with a climate computer or standalone. The system is also fully compatible with all generations of Agrolux (LED) luminaires as well as third-party brands.”

The Agrolux Operating System has capabilities on its development page, such as AI-based lighting strategies and integration with sensors, providing advanced automation, monitoring and control for modern greenhouse operations. The Agrolux Operating System protects existing investments while enabling smarter and more sustainable farming.

LYRA: the modular product platform of the future, fully complementary to the Agrolux portfolio
Together with the Agrolux Operating System, Gavita International is proudly developing LYRA; A new modular and future product platform to support current and next generation greenhouses. “At the heart of the LYRA platform is a modular design that supports multiple applications, including multi-channel configurations to enable lighting strategies, combined with a flexible power range from 340W to 1200W, depending on the producer’s requirements.”

The LYRA is designed around a single driver housing concept that allows LED modules to be added, upgraded and adjusted, ensuring the luminaire adapts to evolving technology, regulations and grower needs. Together with LYRA, the Agrolux OS system will continue to offer renewed features and innovations to the product platform.

LYRA complements the entire Agrolux (LED) luminaire portfolio, and the Agrolux Operating System supports all generations of Agrolux (LED) luminaires. “Together, they are designed to offer the professional greenhouse grower as much as possible
flexibility and long-term certainty in a rapidly evolving technology innovation landscape.”

LYRA will initially be available in a 4-channel version.

The defining moment
“Unveiling the Agrolux Operating System and previewing LYRA at Fruit Logistic is a defining moment for our company. This presentation marks a significant and exciting chapter for Gavita International, thanks to our dedicated team and the continued support of our trusted partners and respected growers. We look forward to meeting visitors in Berlin and showcasing our new developments,” said Marc.

Live demonstration at Fruit Logistica
At Fruit Logistica 2026, Gavita International will demonstrate the Agrolux operation
System live at stand A-46 in the Dutch Pavilion (Hall 3.2), seen first hand.
LIRA

Appointments for a demonstration can be booked online.

For more information:
Gavita International
(email protected)
www.agrolux.com

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