### Texas Hemp Industry Pushes for Veto of Proposed THC Ban

Members of the Texas Hemp Business Council have launched an aggressive campaign to convince Governor Greg Abbott to veto Senate Bill 3, which seeks to ban products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In a press conference on June 2, 2025, industry leaders, business owners, and veterans voiced their concerns and presented petitions urging the veto.

Governor Abbott is under immense political pressure as he decides the fate of the bill. The proposed ban has ignited controversy across the political spectrum, with even some conservatives, who generally support Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s stringent policies, expressing opposition. A survey by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin showed that 55% of Republicans prefer to either relax or maintain the current marijuana and cannabis laws, while only 40% support stricter regulations. Statewide, fewer than one-third of voters back tougher THC laws.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been a vocal proponent of the ban, stressing that THC-infused products pose a public health risk. At a recent press conference, Patrick showcased various THC and CBD products, including a THC-infused lollipop, asserting that such items are often marketed to children and can lead to lifelong addiction.

The hemp industry has proposed an alternative regulatory framework that would restrict THC sales to individuals aged 21 and over, ban sales near schools, and eliminate marketing tactics aimed at children. They argue these measures would reduce the likelihood of dependency.

Despite Patrick’s assertions, industry leaders claim the ban isn’t about public safety but control and highlight the negative impact it could have on Texas' business-friendly environment and border security. They warn that a ban could fuel a black market, undermining legal dispensaries.

Dave Walden, a Texas VFW senior vice commander and veteran, shared his personal story of how THC gummies helped him manage chronic pain and PTSD without resorting to opioids. He emphasized that THC products have significantly improved the lives of many veterans, who might otherwise fall through the cracks of conventional medical treatments.

The Texas Hemp Business Council has delivered 5,000 letters and a 120,000-signature petition to Governor Abbott's office, urging him to veto the bill. They argue that the legislation would harm the state’s burgeoning hemp industry and stifle economic growth.

Senate Bill 3, authored by State Sen. Charles Perry, aims to revert the state back to its original intent behind the 2019 legislation that allowed consumable hemp. Perry insists that businesses producing Delta 8 or Delta 10 products were always aware that their operations were not the law's intended outcome.

Governor Abbott has 20 days post-session to decide on the bill. If he neither signs nor vetoes it, the bill will automatically become law. A spokesperson for the governor stated that he will carefully review all legislation sent to his desk.