Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed Senate Bill 3, which sought to ban hemp-derived THC consumables—shelving a major crackdown and setting the stage for a special session and potential lawsuits.
At a Glance
- Abbott vetoed the bill just before the June 22 deadline, preserving access to THC edibles and vapes
- The law had strong legislative support, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who framed the ban as necessary to shield youth
- Critics, including veterans and small-business owners, warned the ban would devastate a multi-billion-dollar hemp industry and push consumers into an unregulated black market
- Abbott announced plans for a special legislative session starting July 21 to craft a more balanced regulatory framework
- The veto and pending session have triggered legal action, including a federal lawsuit and constitutional challenges
Why It Mattered
Despite strong Republican support for the ban, Abbott faced massive public pushback—including over 150,000 petition signatures and urgent letters from veterans, libertarians, and the hemp industry. Critics warned that prohibition could disrupt an estimated $8 billion industry supporting more than 53,000 Texas jobs.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick described THC products as a “poison” targeting children and urged the legislature to pass the ban. Abbott, however, opted for a veto and a July 21 special session, indicating a desire for stronger oversight with safety guardrails like age restrictions, labeling, and product testing.
Legal and Political Fallout
A group of hemp companies, including major Texas growers, filed suit in Travis County challenging the proposed ban’s constitutionality, seeking to block enforcement. Former NFL player Ricky Williams also joined the legal fight, arguing the ban conflicts with federal hemp law and infringes on Texans’ rights to alternative therapies.
Even within the GOP, libertarian conservatives criticized Patrick’s approach as government overreach, urging regulated access instead of prohibition.
What’s Next
Texas lawmakers face a complex summer. The special session could produce a compromise bill featuring potency caps, age limits, safety standards, and marketing restrictions. If the legislature deadlocks or the courts intervene, the existing legal market for hemp-derived THC may persist—further fueling a lucrative but controversial sector.
Whether Texas opts for reform or restriction, the fight over hemp-derived THC has become a pivotal test of public health, personal freedom, and economic policy in the Lone Star State.
