Karen Reeves

Senior Vice President of Investments & Head of Clinical Strategy, LIGAND PHARMACEUTICAL INC

Search every verified Karen Reeves interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Karen Reeves, Senior Vice President of Investments & Head of Clinical Strategy at Lig Pharmaceutical, testified against Texas House Bill 5 on August 17, 2025, speaking on behalf of herself and Syntax Community Outreach. She stated that she has hidden illnesses including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and that she currently benefits from cannabis and hemp products. Reeves argued that Texans should not be considered criminals for choosing what she called a safer alternative to pharmaceuticals, and she described the Texas compassionate use program as a failure in her opinion, citing high costs and ineffective products. During her testimony, Reeves questioned what would happen to her if she were arrested or her home raided under the proposed legislation, and she asked whether Texas would begin opening prisons for senior citizens and people with disabilities. She stated that the bill would hurt thousands of Texans and called for better regulation and compassion. Reeves also remembered advocates who she said are no longer with them because they lacked safe access, as well as those who moved out of state.