Abbott vetoes Texas THC ban
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Gov. Greg Abbott late Sunday vetoed the THC ban bill passed by his fellow Republicans in the Texas Legislature.
Why it matters: The move secures the future of the state's multibillion-dollar hemp industry and keeps those who rely on legal THC products with more options — for now.
- It also articulates a divide among Texas conservatives in how they view cannabis and how to address its rising popularity.
Driving the news: Abbott acted less than an hour before the midnight deadline to veto bills and did not immediately issue a statement.
Catch up quick: Senate Bill 3 sought to ban the possession, sale and manufacture of all THC products — including consumable delta-8 THC which Texas lawmakers legalized in 2019.
Context: Delta-8 THC is a minor chemical variant of the main psychoactive ingredient in traditional cannabis and provides lesser psychoactive effects. It can be coupled with CBD, another hemp-derived compound used for pain relief and mental wellness.
- In 2019, Abbott signed the Texas farm bill, which partly legalized products containing small amounts of hemp-derived delta-8 THC, including edibles, beverages, vapes and traditional bud.
What they're saying: Abbott "stood with millions of Texans, protected 53,000+ jobs" and "showed real leadership today," the Texas Hemp Business Council wrote on X.
- "Texas is stronger for it," the council added.
The other side: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who made banning THC a top priority, slammed Abbott, saying the bill was "strongly backed by law enforcement, many in the medical and education communities, and the families who have seen their loved ones' lives destroyed by these very dangerous drugs ..."
Flashback: The Senate passed SB 3 26-5 in March, and the House followed suit with an 87-54 vote in May.
Friction point: Thousands of veterans, business owners and THC proponents sent Abbott letters urging him to veto the bill.
The big picture: The move comes as Abbott signed a bill expanding the state's medical marijuana program, opening it up for people with chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, Crohn's disease and in palliative care, and as more states have loosened cannabis restrictions in recent years.