Texas Governor Vetoes Statewide THC Ban, Calls for Special Session on Hemp Regulation
Texas Governor Vetoes Statewide THC Ban, Calls for Special Session on Hemp Regulation
Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), a bill that would have banned the sale of most products containing THC in Texas. The veto, issued shortly before a midnight deadline on Sunday, June 23, 2025, came after months of silence from the Governor on the issue. In his veto proclamation, Governor Abbott cited a 2023 federal district court ruling that blocked a similar Arkansas law, arguing that SB 3 conflicted with the 2018 federal farm bill, which legalized hemp. He stated that enforcing SB 3 would lead to years of legal challenges, leaving existing problems unaddressed.
The vetoed bill, championed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, aimed to address concerns about the unregulated THC market, particularly its potential impact on minors. Supporters of SB 3 highlighted the lack of age restrictions for purchasing THC products and alleged marketing practices targeting children. They also cited an increase in marijuana-related calls to poison control since 2019 and anecdotal evidence of cannabis-induced psychosis. The bill had strong support within the Republican legislature, with 105 of 108 Republicans voting in favor.
Governor Abbott’s veto proclamation acknowledged the serious concerns raised by both proponents and opponents of SB 3. He emphasized the need for strong hemp regulation to ensure the safety of both minors and adults. The Governor simultaneously announced a special session of the state legislature, beginning July 21, 2025, to address the issue of hemp regulation. He indicated a desire for regulations that would ban THC sales to minors, mandate product safety testing, and prohibit child-appealing marketing.
The veto has significant economic implications. SB 3 was projected to unravel Texas’s $8 billion hemp industry and cost an estimated 50,000 jobs. Opponents of the ban, including hemp industry representatives, veterans’ groups, and business owners, had actively campaigned against the bill, delivering over 120,000 handwritten letters to Governor Abbott’s office. They argued that a ban would negatively impact employment and potentially lead to veterans turning to more harmful substances to manage PTSD and other mental health conditions.
Lieutenant Governor Patrick expressed strong disapproval of the veto, stating that it leaves supporters feeling abandoned and suggesting that the Governor’s actions effectively aim to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. He indicated his opposition to any legislation that would legalize marijuana and vowed not to support such a bill. He held a press conference on Monday, June 24, 2025, to further elaborate on his concerns.
Governor Abbott, in contrast to Lieutenant Governor Patrick’s stance, signed House Bill 46 on Saturday, June 22, 2025, expanding the state’s medical marijuana program. This expansion includes adding chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, and Crohn’s disease to the list of qualifying conditions and allowing marijuana use for patients in palliative or hospice care. The Governor’s actions represent a significant divergence from Lieutenant Governor Patrick on this issue, marking a rare public disagreement between the two top Republican leaders in Texas.
The special session called by Governor Abbott will focus on creating a regulatory framework for the hemp industry. The Governor suggested that the regulations could mirror those in place for alcohol, including age restrictions (21 and older), restrictions on sales near schools and playgrounds, and enforcement by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The outcome of this special session will determine the future of THC regulation in Texas.
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