HOUSTON — Should you be able to smoke weed in Texas or should the Lone Star State ban all THC?
It's a hot topic and it's one that will be debated on the state level next legislative session.
Lawmakers will convene in January and there are leaders on both sides of the fence when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana.
On one end, some state leaders want to ban the sale of all THC products.
Other state leaders want to legalize the recreational use of cannabis -- one member of the Texas House even filed a bill that would do just that.
The future of the issue is now at a crossroads.
Currently, 24 states in the United States have fully legalized recreational marijuana use. In four states, all marijuana is illegal. The rest of the states, including Texas, have a mix of different laws when it comes to the legality of weed use.
In Texas, there is limited medical use allowed for those with certain health conditions.
Delta 8 and Delta 9 products -- which are derived from cannabis plants and have low amounts of THC -- are legal.
Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, of Dallas, wants to see changes to the law. She introduced a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use entirely. The bill would allow people over the age of 21 to possess, use and transport up to 2.5 ounces for personal use as well as allow adults to keep up to 10 ounces at home as long as it's stored properly.
The bill was filed before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced legislation to ban the sale of all THC products in the state.
Houston-area businesses told KHOU 11 News that Patrick's push is concerning for them and their customers.
"They're (customers) going to go back to buying it illegally on the street. This way, we're buying from reputable, large companies," THC seller Chris Powers said.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said he agrees with efforts to protect consumers and children from certain high THC products but he doesn't want the law to go too far.
"It's not that we're allowing higher THC marijuana use, it's the synthetics. It's to get around the law is how they're doing it," Miller said.
Miller said public support for low-dosage THC products is strong, especially for medical use. And while recreational use isn't something he supports now, Miller said he does want to see the legislature consider expanding medical use in the state.
"The way it's happened in the past, they'll add one or two ailments next year to wait two years, come back and add two or three more ailments. What I would like to see is just leave that up to the doctor. Between the doctor and his patient. Let the doctor prescribe, you know, the medication for the ailment," Miller said.
Patrick said his proposed THC ban wouldn't impact the state's compassionate use program, which allows limited medical use.
The legislature kicks off its new session on Jan. 14.