Abbott’s Last-Minute Veto: Texas Keeps THC Hemp Market Alive

In a dramatic turn just before the midnight deadline on Sunday, June 22, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, a sweeping measure that would have criminalized all THC‑infused hemp consumables from vapes and gummies to drinks and edibles across the state.

Why It Matters

SB 3, championed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, aimed to ban every form of psychoactive THC derived from hemp, including delta‑8 and delta‑9. Under the bill, possession, manufacturing, or sale of such products would have become a misdemeanor, a move critics said risked decimating a multi‑billion‑dollar industry and harming patients who rely on THC therapeutically.

Abbott’s Reasoning

In his veto announcement, Abbott warned the bill faced “a lengthy battle” in court and likely would be struck down defeating its purpose in delaying effective public‑safety measures. Instead, he urged lawmakers to pursue a regulatory model akin to alcohol:

• Age restrictions and prohibiting marketing to minors

• Mandatory testing and labeling

• Funding for enforcement and oversight

• Empowering local governments to restrict sales

He also called a special legislative session, set to begin July 21, to create this regulatory framework.

How Stakeholders Responded

Dan Patrick, enraged by the veto, slammed Abbott’s timing: “His late‑night veto … leaves [law enforcement and families] feeling abandoned,” he said, citing support from 105 of 108 Republican legislators.

Veterans and medical‑cannabis advocates praised the veto. Many rely on THC‑infused hemp products to manage chronic pain and avoid opioids—a shutdown could have forced them underground.

The Texas hemp industry, which employs approximately 50,000 workers and generates an estimated $8 billion annually, had mounted a major lobbying effort and gathered over 150,000 petition signatures urging Abbott to protect the market.

What Comes Next

A special session in July will be Abbott’s chance to set a new course. His vow to treat hemp‑THC like alcohol suggests upcoming legislation will include:

• THC potency caps and standardized testing

• Age limits and advertising restrictions

• Licensing, packaging, and labelling standards

• Funding for enforcement and oversight

If enacted, these reforms could solidify Texas as a forward‑thinking leader in hemp regulation—balancing economic opportunity with consumer safety.

What This Means for Cannabis Cactus Readers

Patients & veterans: Relief regimes grounded in THC hemp products remain legal and accessible—regulatory stability, not prohibition, is the next battle.

Industry professionals: The $8 billion market stays intact—for now. A regulatory framework is on the way, but rules will soon follow.

Advocates & reformers: Texas may emerge as a model for integrating hemp‑derived THC into mainstream markets through sensible policy, rather than sweeping bans.

Gov. Abbott’s veto late on June 22 wasn’t just a political maneuver—it was a clear affirmation of the importance of hemp‑derived THC to Texas’s economy, healthcare, and regulatory future.