Texas Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Hemp-Derived THC in the State

On June 22, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which would have prohibited hemp-derived THC in the state (1,2). The bill had passed the House of Representatives on May 21, and had been sent to the Senate for final approval before being presented to the governor (2).

In his veto statement for SB 3, released June 22, Governor Abbott addressed several concerns regarding its effects, including the time needed to enforce the new regulations (3). “Texans on each side of the Senate Bill 3 debate raise serious concerns,” the statement began. “But one thing is clear—to ensure the highest level of safety for minors, as well as for adults, who obtain a product more dangerous than what they expected, Texas must strongly regulate hemp, and it must do so immediately…Senate Bill 3 is well-intentioned. But it would never go into effect because of valid constitutional challenges. Litigation challenging the bill has already been filed, and the legal defects in the bill are undeniable. If I were to allow Senate Bill 3 to become law, it's enforcement would be enjoined for years, leaving existing abuses unaddressed. Texas cannot afford to wait.”

Several stakeholders and organizations, including Texas Hemp Business Council and the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, had voiced dissatisfaction of SB 3 and the potential effect on the state’s industry (2). If passed, the law prohibiting any cannabinoids other than CBD and CBG in hemp products would have been effective in September 2025 (2).

“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,” stated Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, in a June 22 news release (4). “This is a win for freedom and free markets.”

The Texas Hemp Business Council also released a statement on the veto of SB 3 (5). “Governor Greg Abbott’s veto of SB 3 reinforces Texas’ reputation as a leader in business innovation and practical policymaking,” the June 23 press release began. “By choosing balance over overreach, Governor Abbott protected a vibrant, federally legal hemp industry that employs 53,000 Texans and generates over $4.3 billion in annual sales.”

The statement also addressed the safety of consumers throughout the state. “SB 3 would have banned widely used, federally legal hemp-derived products, pushing consumers toward unsafe alternatives and threatening public health and choice,” the statement continued. “Governor Abbott’s veto protects the hundreds of thousands of farmers, veterans, small businesses and adult consumers across Texas who rely on hemp for wellness and their livelihoods.”

The bill would have also required microbial testing, reporting of cannabinoid content to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and labels would need to display cannabinoid content (2). Products would have only been allowed to be purchase by individuals age 21 and older and child-resistant packaging would be required for products (2). In its statement, the Texas Hemp Business Council noted similar regulations already in place with HB 1325, and that the organization would continue to advocate for age restrictions on products, child-resistant packaging, and regulations on dispensary locations in relation to schools.

“Polling consistently shows that Texans do not support a ban on hemp-derived products,” the statement concluded. “We commend Governor Abbott for his leadership and for listening to the more than 150,000 petition signers and thousands more who shared their stories through handwritten letters. We remain committed to working with lawmakers and stakeholders to support a safe, well-regulated hemp industry, not just for Texas, but as a model for the nation.”

Additionally, on June 23, the Governor announced that a Special Session addressing several bills including SB 3 would take place on July 21 (6).

References

1. Texas Legislature Online. Senate Bill 3. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB3 (accessed Jun 23, 2025).
2. McEvoy, E. Texas House Passes Senate Bill 3, a Prohibition on Hemp-Derived THC https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/texas-house-passes-senate-bill-3-a-prohibition-on-hemp-derived-thc (accessed Jun 23, 2025).
3. Texas Cannabis Policy Center. Gov. Abbott Vetoes SB 3: A Victory for Freedom and Free Markets https://texascannabispolicy.org/news-and-updates/f/gov-abbott-vetoes-sb-3-a-victory-for-freedom-and-free-markets (accessed Jun 23, 2025).
4. Texas Hemp Business Council. Statement by the Texas Hemp Business Council on Governor Abbott’s Veto of SB3 https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/23/3103095/0/en/Statement-by-the-Texas-Hemp-Business-Council-on-Governor-Abbott-s-Veto-of-SB3.html (accessed Jun 23, 2025).
5. Governor Greg Abbott. SB 3 Veto Proclamation https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/VETO_proclamation_SB_3_IMAGE_2025-06-22.pdf (accessed Jun 23, 2025).
6. Office of the Texas Governor. Governor Abbott Announces Special Session Date, Initial Agenda https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-special-session-date-initial-agenda (accessed Jun 23, 2025).