Texas State Senator José Menéndez said that while cannabis remains illegal, the similarity between hemp and cannabis has led to unintended legalization, prompting calls for stricter regulations, especially to protect children and that these products should be restricted to those 21 and over. Menéndez was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.

“Whatever is available in the market is supposed to be limited in the amount of THC it contains," said Menéndez on a recent edition of the Texas Talks Podcast. “It's not supposed to exceed any specific concentration. We didn't legalize cannabis in any way, shape, or form. Hemp and cannabis are sometimes indistinguishable, even through lab work, there was an inadvertent effect of somehow making it legal.”

“Now there's a desire to push back and make everything illegal, but I think that is not the right answer," said Menéndez. “ I don't think any kind of gummy with any type of adverse effect should be available to children. I believe these products, like alcohol, should be for those 21 and over and should be heavily regulated. One of the concerns I have is that, without regulation, you don't know exactly what is in these."

Menéndez, serving District 26, has passed over 200 bills, including David's Law on cyberbullying and secured funding for education, healthcare, and community projects like $17 million for Alamo Colleges. He began his public service on the San Antonio City Council and later served as a State Representative.

Texas Talks podcast is hosted by Brad Swail. The weekly show is focused on public policy in the state of Texas, with insights from the people and organizations that influence it.

The podcast is available on Simple Cast and YouTube.