A video shared on X shows Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaking against the state’s official ban on THC products. In the clip, recorded in Texas, he calls the measure insane, a gift to drug cartels, and an example of nanny-state overreach, while quoting a past statement by President Donald Trump. The post drew widespread online attention, with users reacting strongly to his critique of the policy.
The footage shows Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaking at a podium in the Texas House of Representatives during discussion of SB 3. He states, “This bill is insane,” and continues that Texans “aren’t going to stop smoking weed and eating edibles because politicians in Austin say so.” He adds that users will obtain THC “from the black market, from the drug cartels,” calling the measure “a gift to the cartels.”
Talarico further describes it as “the nanny state at its worst; this is big government at its worst,” and quotes a past statement by President Donald Trump about ending needless arrests for small amounts of marijuana before urging Republican colleagues to “vote no on this insane bill.”
According to the accompanying post text, the remarks address Texas officially banning THC products. The clip captures only Talarico’s floor speech and does not show the surrounding legislative debate, any vote, or events outside the chamber.
Online Reactions to the Texas THC Ban Speech
Several commenters expressed strong agreement with Talarico’s position. One who identified as a complete teetotaler wrote that “Talarico is actually spot on here … this bill is indeed outrageous” and that “Prohibition doesn’t work, has never worked, and will never work.”
Another called the speech an “Absolute master class in exposing Republican hypocrisy.”
Other users focused on limited-government principles and potential special interests. One noted, “I could’ve sworn that Republicans were for limited government, fiscal responsibility…”
A further reply stated that “They want people to buy their drugs illegally because when it was legal, incarcerations declined. Prisons want their money.” Some also pointed to influences such as the alcohol lobby and political donations.
The video continues to circulate as part of an ongoing online discussion about Texas’ THC policy. It remains unclear how the exchange will influence the broader debate.
