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Tag: Texas

  • Texas: Expanded Medical Marijuana Bill Opens Door for Vape

    Texas: Expanded Medical Marijuana Bill Opens Door for Vape

    Medical cannabis grower Texas Original today announced its support of Texas Senate Bill 1505 which would improve patient access to medical cannabis. In particular, it would allow the use of aerosol and vapor as a means of administering low-level THC cannabis when medically necessary, saying “these medical products offer immediate relief, which is critical for patients with episodic conditions such as PTSD.”

    The bill, which was heard by the Senate Committee on State Affairs on March 3, proposes amendments to the Texas Compassionate Use Program (CUP).

    “Senate Bill 1505 proposes crucial improvements to the Compassionate Use Program that will benefit patients throughout the state,” said Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original. “We are grateful to Senator Charles Perry for his meaningful amendments. These changes will make the program more accessible and bring relief to the patients who rely on it for their medical care.”

    The new bill would also allow for satellite locations where medicine can be stored, improving patient access and reducing medicine costs, and aligning dosing with other prescription medications by capping THC by milligrams instead of by weight.

  • Chinese E-Cig Maker Wants Case Against Moved to Federal Court

    Chinese E-Cig Maker Wants Case Against Moved to Federal Court

    A Chinese e-cigarette maker has removed to federal court a suit alleging that the battery in one of its products exploded just days before the trial was set to start in Texas state court, according to Mike Curley, writing for Law360. The removal was filed on Feb. 21 with the trial slated to begin Feb. 24.

    Shenzhen IVPS Technology Co. Ltd. filed a notice of removal for the case filed by Michael Herrera, telling the court that it believed Herrera was not intending to present evidence against the Texas-based retail co-defendants named in the suit and therefore there was diversity jurisdiction warranting removal.

    “When a defendant removes the case after a jury has been sworn in, that kind of tells you everything you need to know,” said William R. Ogden of Farrar & Ball LLP, who represents Herrera. “They were scrambling.”

    In the case, initially filed in October 2023, Herrera said he was using an electronic cigarette made by Shenzhen and distributed by TheSY LLC, and included with the purchase a Sony lithium-ion battery bought from PDK Smoke ‘N Vape LLC and imported by Toro Imports. While Herrera was using the device, he said, it exploded and caused severe burns to his eye and face. TheSY has since been dismissed from the suit.

    In its notice of removal, Curley wrote, “Shenzhen said based on Herrera’s trial witness list and other factors, ‘it is abundantly clear that [the] Plaintiff does not intend to put up any evidence against PDK Smoke or Toro Imports at trial scheduled to start next week.’”

    Ogden said he expects the federal court to remand the case to the Harris County District Court.

    Read the full article (requires a subscription).