By: Moody, et al. H.B. No. 2593
        (Senate Sponsor - Johnson, Hinojosa)
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 28, 2021;
  May 14, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on State
  Affairs; May 20, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 7, Nays 2; May 20, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the criminal penalties for the possession of certain
  tetrahydrocannabinols under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 481.002(5) and (6), Health and Safety
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
               (5)  "Controlled substance" means a substance,
  including a drug, an adulterant, and a dilutant, listed in
  Schedules I through V or Penalty Group 1, 1-A, 2, 2-A, 2-B, 3, or 4.
  The term includes the aggregate weight of any mixture, solution, or
  other substance containing a controlled substance. The term does
  not include hemp, as defined by Section 121.001, Agriculture Code,
  or the tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp.
               (6)  "Controlled substance analogue" means:
                     (A)  a substance with a chemical structure
  substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled
  substance in Schedule I or II or Penalty Group 1, 1-A, 2, [or] 2-A,
  or 2-B; or
                     (B)  a substance specifically designed to produce
  an effect substantially similar to, or greater than, the effect of a
  controlled substance in Schedule I or II or Penalty Group 1, 1-A, 2,
  [or] 2-A, or 2-B.
         SECTION 2.  Section 481.103(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Penalty Group 2 consists of:
               (1)  any quantity of the following hallucinogenic
  substances, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, unless
  specifically excepted, if the existence of these salts, isomers,
  and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical
  designation:
                     5-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (5-APB);
                     6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (6-APB);
                     5-(2-aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran
  (5-APDB);
                     6-(2-aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran
  (6-APDB);
                     5-(2-aminopropyl)indole (5-IT,5-API);
                     6-(2-aminopropyl)indole (6-IT,6-API);
                     1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine
  (5-MAPB);
                     1-(benzofuran-6-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine
  (6-MAPB);
                     Benzothiophenylcyclohexylpiperidine (BTCP);
                     8-bromo-alpha-methyl-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']difuran-
  4-ethanamine (trade or other name: Bromo-DragonFLY);
                     Desoxypipradrol (2-benzhydrylpiperidine);
                     2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine (some trade or other
  names:  2, 5-dimethoxy-alpha-methylphenethylamine; 2, 5-DMA);
                     Diphenylprolinol (diphenyl(pyrrolidin-2-yl)
  methanol, D2PM);
                     Dronabinol (synthetic) in sesame oil and
  encapsulated in a soft gelatin capsule in a U.S. Food and Drug
  Administration approved drug product (some trade or other names for
  Dronabinol:  (a6aR-trans)-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6,6, 9-
  trimethyl-3-pentyl-6H- dibenzo [b,d]pyran-1-ol or (-)-delta-9-
  (trans)- tetrahydrocannabinol);
                     Ethylamine Analog of Phencyclidine (some trade or
  other names:  N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine, (1-
  phenylcyclohexyl) ethylamine, N-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) ethylamine,
  cyclohexamine, PCE);
                     2-ethylamino-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanone
  (trade or other name: methoxetamine);
                     Ibogaine (some trade or other names:  7-Ethyl-6,
  6, beta 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13-octahydro-2-methoxy-6, 9-methano-5H-
  pyrido [1', 2':1, 2] azepino [5, 4-b] indole; tabernanthe iboga.);
                     5-iodo-2-aminoindane (5-IAI);
                     Mescaline;
                     5-methoxy-3, 4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;
                     4-methoxyamphetamine (some trade or other
  names:  4-methoxy-alpha-methylphenethylamine;
  paramethoxyamphetamine; PMA);
                     4-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA);
                     2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone
  (some trade and other names: 2-MeO-ketamine; methoxyketamine);
                     1-methyl- 4-phenyl-4-propionoxypiperidine (MPPP,
  PPMP);
                     4-methyl-2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine (some trade
  and other names:  4-methyl-2, 5-dimethoxy-alpha-
  methylphenethylamine; "DOM"; "STP");
                     3,4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA, MDM);
                     3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;
                     3,4-methylenedioxy N-ethylamphetamine (Also
  known as N-ethyl MDA);
                     5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI);
                     Nabilone (Another name for nabilone:  (+)-trans-
  3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)- 6,6a, 7,8,10,10a-hexahydro-1-hydroxy- 6,
  6-dimethyl-9H-dibenzo[b,d] pyran-9-one;
                     N-benzylpiperazine (some trade or other
  names:  BZP; 1-benzylpiperazine);
                     N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;
                     N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (Also
  known as N-hydroxy MDA);
                     4-methylaminorex;
                     N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;
                     Parahexyl (some trade or other names:  3-Hexyl-1-
  hydroxy-7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydro-6, 6, 9-trimethyl-6H-dibenzo [b, d]
  pyran; Synhexyl);
                     1-Phenylcyclohexylamine;
                     1-Piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile (PCC);
                     Pyrrolidine Analog of Phencyclidine (some trade
  or other names:  1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-pyrrolidine, PCPy, PHP);
                     [Tetrahydrocannabinols, other than marihuana, and
  synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the plant, or
  in the resinous extractives of Cannabis, or synthetic substances,
  derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and
  pharmacological activity such as:
                           [delta-1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol,
  and their optical isomers;
                           [delta-6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol,
  and their optical isomers;
                           [delta-3, 4 cis or trans
  tetrahydrocannabinol, and its optical isomers; or
                           [compounds of these structures, regardless
  of numerical designation of atomic positions, since nomenclature of
  these substances is not internationally standardized;]
                     Thiophene Analog of Phencyclidine (some trade or
  other names:  1-[1-(2-thienyl) cyclohexyl] piperidine; 2-Thienyl
  Analog of Phencyclidine; TPCP, TCP);
                     1-pyrrolidine (some trade or other name:  TCPy);
                     1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (trade or
  other name:  TFMPP); and
                     3,4,5-trimethoxy amphetamine;
               (2)  Phenylacetone (some trade or other
  names:  Phenyl-2-propanone; P2P, Benzymethyl ketone, methyl benzyl
  ketone);
               (3)  unless specifically excepted or unless listed in
  another Penalty Group, a material, compound, mixture, or
  preparation that contains any quantity of the following substances
  having a potential for abuse associated with a depressant or
  stimulant effect on the central nervous system:
                     Aminorex (some trade or other
  names:  aminoxaphen; 2-amino-5-phenyl-2-oxazoline; 4,5-dihydro-5-
  phenyl-2-oxazolamine);
                     Amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers, and
  salts of optical isomers;
                     Cathinone (some trade or other names:  2-amino-1-
  phenyl-1-propanone, alpha-aminopropiophenone, 2-
  aminopropiophenone);
                     Etaqualone and its salts;
                     Etorphine Hydrochloride;
                     Fenethylline and its salts;
                     Lisdexamfetamine, including its salts, isomers,
  and salts of isomers;
                     Mecloqualone and its salts;
                     Methaqualone and its salts;
                     Methcathinone (some trade or other names:  2-
  methylamino-propiophenone; alpha-(methylamino)propriophenone;
  2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-one; alpha-N-
  methylaminopropriophenone; monomethylpropion; ephedrone, N-
  methylcathinone; methylcathinone; AL-464; AL-422; AL-463; and UR
  1431);
                     N-Ethylamphetamine, its salts, optical isomers,
  and salts of optical isomers; and
                     N,N-dimethylamphetamine (some trade or other
  names: N,N,alpha-trimethylbenzeneethanamine;
  N,N,alpha-trimethylphenethylamine), its salts, optical isomers,
  and salts of optical isomers;
               (4)  any compound structurally derived from
  2-aminopropanal by substitution at the 1-position with any
  monocyclic or fused-polycyclic ring system, including:
                     (A)  compounds further modified by:
                           (i)  substitution in the ring system to any
  extent (including alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl, or
  halide substituents), whether or not further substituted in the
  ring system by other substituents;
                           (ii)  substitution at the 3-position with an
  alkyl substituent; or
                           (iii)  substitution at the 2-amino nitrogen
  atom with alkyl, benzyl, dialkyl, or methoxybenzyl groups, or
  inclusion of the 2-amino nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure; and
                     (B)  by example, compounds such as:
                           4-Methylmethcathinone (Also known as
  Mephedrone);
                           3,4-Dimethylmethcathinone (Also known as
  3,4-DMMC);
                           3-Fluoromethcathinone (Also known as 3-FMC);
                           4-Fluoromethcathinone (Also known as
  Flephedrone);
                           3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (Also
  known as Methylone);
                           3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (Also known
  as MDPV);
                           alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Also known
  as alpha-PVP);
                           Naphthylpyrovalerone  (Also known as
  Naphyrone);
                           alpha-Methylamino-valerophenone (Also known
  as Pentedrone);
                           beta-Keto-N-methylbenzodioxolylpropylamine
  (Also known as Butylone);
                           beta-Keto-N-methylbenzodioxolylpentanamine
  (Also known as Pentylone);
                           beta-Keto-Ethylbenzodioxolylbutanamine
  (Also known as Eutylone); and
                           3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylcathinone (Also
  known as Ethylone);
               (5)  any compound structurally derived from tryptamine
  (3-(2-aminoethyl)indole) or a ring-hydroxy tryptamine:
                     (A)  by modification in any of the following ways:
                           (i)  by substitution at the amine nitrogen
  atom of the sidechain to any extent with alkyl or alkenyl groups or
  by inclusion of the amine nitrogen atom of the side chain (and no
  other atoms of the side chain) in a cyclic structure;
                           (ii)  by substitution at the carbon atom
  adjacent to the nitrogen atom of the side chain (alpha-position)
  with an alkyl or alkenyl group;
                           (iii)  by substitution in the 6-membered
  ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, thioaklyl,
  alkylenedioxy, or halide substituents; or
                           (iv)  by substitution at the 2-position of
  the tryptamine ring system with an alkyl substituent; and
                     (B)  including:
                           (i)  ethers and esters of the controlled
  substances listed in this subdivision; and
                           (ii)  by example, compounds such as:
                                 alpha-ethyltryptamine;
                                 alpha-methyltryptamine;
                                 Bufotenine (some trade and other names:
  3-(beta-Dimethylaminoethyl)-5-hydroxyindole;
  3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)- 5- indolol; N, N-dimethylserotonin;
  5-hydroxy-N, N- dimethyltryptamine; mappine);
                                 Diethyltryptamine (some trade and
  other names: N, N-Diethyltryptamine, DET);
                                 Dimethyltryptamine (trade or other
  name: DMT);
                                 5-methoxy-N, N-diisopropyltryptamine
  (5-MeO-DiPT);
                                 O-Acetylpsilocin (Trade or other name:
  4-Aco-DMT);
                                 Psilocin; and
                                 Psilocybin;
               (6)  2,5-Dimethoxyphenethylamine and any compound
  structurally derived from 2,5-Dimethoxyphenethylamine by
  substitution at the 4-position of the phenyl ring to any extent
  (including alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl, or halide
  substituents), including, by example, compounds such as:
                     4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (trade or
  other name: 2C-B);
                     4-Chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (trade or
  other name: 2C-C);
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylphenethylamine (trade or
  other name: 2C-D);
                     4-Ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (trade or
  other name: 2C-E);
                     4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (trade or
  other name: 2C-I);
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-nitrophenethylamine (trade or
  other name: 2C-N);
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylphenethylamine (trade
  or other name: 2C-P);
                     4-Ethylthio-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (trade
  or other name: 2C-T-2);
                     4-Isopropylthio-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine
  (trade or other name: 2C-T-4); and
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylthiophenethylamine
  (trade or other name:  2C-T-7); and
               (7)  2,5-Dimethoxyamphetamine and any compound
  structurally derived from 2,5-Dimethoxyamphetamine by substitution
  at the 4-position of the phenyl ring to any extent (including alkyl,
  alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl, or halide substituents),
  including, by example, compounds such as:
                     4-Ethylthio-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (trade or
  other name: Aleph-2);
                     4-Isopropylthio-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (trade
  or other name: Aleph-4);
                     4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (trade or other
  name: DOB);
                     4-Chloro-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (trade or
  other name: DOC);
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (trade or other
  name: DOET);
                     4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (trade or other
  name: DOI);
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (trade or
  other name: DOM);
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-nitroamphetamine (trade or other
  name: DON);
                     4-Isopropyl-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (trade or
  other name: DOIP); and
                     2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylamphetamine (trade or
  other name: DOPR).
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 481.1032 to read as follows:
         Sec. 481.1032.  PENALTY GROUP 2-B. (a) Penalty Group 2-B
  consists of any quantity of the following substances, their salts,
  isomers, and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, if the
  existence of these salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible
  within the specific chemical designation:
               Tetrahydrocannabinols, other than marihuana, and
  synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the plant, or
  in the resinous extractives of Cannabis, or synthetic substances,
  derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and
  pharmacological activity such as:
                     delta-1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and
  their optical isomers;
                     delta-6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and
  their optical isomers;
                     delta-3, 4 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and
  its optical isomers; or
                     compounds of these structures, regardless of
  numerical designation of atomic positions, since nomenclature of
  these substances is not internationally standardized.
         (b)  For the purposes of this section, the term "isomer"
  includes an optical, position, or geometric isomer.
         SECTION 4.  Section 481.106, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 481.106.  CLASSIFICATION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
  ANALOGUE. For the purposes of the prosecution of an offense under
  this subchapter involving the manufacture, delivery, or possession
  of a controlled substance, Penalty Groups 1, 1-A, 2, [and] 2-A, and
  2-B include a controlled substance analogue that:
               (1)  has a chemical structure substantially similar to
  the chemical structure of a controlled substance listed in the
  applicable penalty group; or
               (2)  is specifically designed to produce an effect
  substantially similar to, or greater than, a controlled substance
  listed in the applicable penalty group.
         SECTION 5.  The heading to Section 481.113, Health and
  Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 481.113.  OFFENSE: MANUFACTURE OR DELIVERY OF SUBSTANCE
  IN PENALTY GROUP 2, [OR] 2-A, OR 2-B.
         SECTION 6.  Section 481.113(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as authorized by this chapter, a person commits
  an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or
  possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in
  Penalty Group 2, [or] 2-A, or 2-B.
         SECTION 7.  The heading to Section 481.1161, Health and
  Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 481.1161.  OFFENSE: POSSESSION OF SUBSTANCE IN PENALTY
  GROUP 2-A OR 2-B.
         SECTION 8.  Section 481.1161(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as authorized by this chapter, a person commits
  an offense if the person knowingly possesses a controlled substance
  listed in Penalty Group 2-A or 2-B, unless the person obtained the
  substance directly from or under a valid prescription or order of a
  practitioner acting in the course of professional practice.
         SECTION 9.  Section 481.122(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly
  delivers a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1, 1-A, 2,
  2-B, or 3 or knowingly delivers marihuana and the person delivers
  the controlled substance or marihuana to a person:
               (1)  who is a child;
               (2)  who is enrolled in a public or private primary or
  secondary school; or
               (3)  who the actor knows or believes intends to deliver
  the controlled substance or marihuana to a person described by
  Subdivision (1) or (2).
         SECTION 10.  Sections 551.003(11) and (12), Occupations
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
               (11)  "Controlled substance" means a substance,
  including a drug:
                     (A)  listed in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V, as
  established by the commissioner of public health under Chapter 481,
  Health and Safety Code, or in Penalty Group 1, 1-A, 2, 2-B, 3, or 4,
  Chapter 481; or
                     (B)  included in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of
  the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21
  U.S.C. Section 801 et seq.).
               (12)  "Dangerous drug" means a drug or device that:
                     (A)  is not included in Penalty Group 1, 2, 2-B, 3,
  or 4, Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, and is unsafe for
  self-medication; or
                     (B)  bears or is required to bear the legend:
                           (i)  "Caution: federal law prohibits
  dispensing without prescription" or "Rx only" or another legend
  that complies with federal law; or
                           (ii)  "Caution: federal law restricts this
  drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian."
         SECTION 11.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
  An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes
  of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date
  of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
         SECTION 12.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
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