Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed Senate Bill 3, rejecting a sweeping attempt to ban hemp-derived THC products in Texas. The veto is a major win for economic freedom, public safety, and the thousands of Texans who enjoy these products responsibly.
SB 3, driven by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Senator Charles Perry, sought to outlaw nearly all consumable hemp products—including THC products that are available nationwide. Patrick’s public campaign relied on fear-based messaging, including a widely mocked press tour where he tossed THC edibles at reporters. Even members of his own party criticized the spectacle as political theater and out of touch with conservative values of limited government and economic liberty.
Polling consistently showed Texans opposed the ban. A statewide survey from Fabrizio, Lee & Associates found 70% of voters—including a majority of Republicans—support legal hemp-derived THC under strict regulation. Just 16% supported a full ban. A separate poll of GOP primary voters showed 47% opposed the ban, with nearly three-quarters supporting veteran access to THC as an opioid alternative.
SB 3 passed the Senate in its most extreme form, but under the leadership of Chairman Ken King, the House State Affairs Committee amended it into a regulatory bill. That version included age restrictions, packaging and marketing rules, and product testing requirements. Advocates viewed this as a more thoughtful approach that prioritized safety while preserving access.
Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, applauded the governor’s decision to veto SB 3.
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Abbott for listening to the people of Texas and recognizing that regulation is a better approach to ensuring public health safety,” said Fazio. “This is a win for freedom and free markets.”
The hemp-derived products industry in Texas supports over 8,500 retailers and generates $5.5–8 billion annually. SB 3 would have eliminated thousands of jobs and forced small businesses to shut down. Worse, it would have returned Texas to an era of criminalization—potentially reviving the 60,000+ annual arrests for cannabis that occurred prior to hemp legalization.
Governor Abbott’s veto sets us on a better path forward. Advocates now urge lawmakers to support sensible, enforceable regulation during the special session, which is set to begin on July 21. With the right framework—focused on age limits, labeling, potency caps, and enforcement—Texas can protect consumers without sacrificing liberty or economic opportunity.
Abbott’s decision is a powerful stand against fear-driven policymaking and a signal that Texas will not be dragged backward. Instead, the state can lead with smart, fair, and forward-looking cannabis policy.