Texas SB1325 took effect when it was signed by Governor Abbott on June 10, 2019, and legalized hemp in the State of Texas. Marijuana and hemp are both Cannabis sativa L plants containing Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The difference between the two is the quantity of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol present. The Crime Laboratory needed new equipment in order to be able to quantify THC in evidentiary items. The Crime Laboratory has begun the process of setting up the LCMS instrument, but we have not begun the validation process because we do not have the necessary Nitrogen generator and consumables supplies.
If the Chemistry Unit gets an additional chemist, the Crime Laboratory could begin to insource THC quantification cases. This could be a good opportunity for insourcing THC cases from smaller agencies, since we may be the first government laboratory in the area with the ability to conduct THC quantification testing. The Chemistry Unit would have to acquire additional personnel in order to insource THC testing, or the Unit’s turnaround time and backlog would increase. COVID-19 has had a deleterious effect on the City’s budget; I do not foresee funding for an additional chemist position.