Texas THC ban veto signals major policy shift as Gov. Abbott blocks bill targeting all hemp-derived THC consumables. The move keeps the state’s billion-dollar THC industry intact — at least for now.
Bill Would Have Made Consuming THC Illicit
Any possession, production, or sale of any product containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, would have been illegal under the proposed law. Texas would have enacted one of the strictest THC laws in the country if it had been approved.
Despite the tough marijuana laws already in place — which prohibit recreational use and restrict medical marijuana access — hemp-derived THC products have flourished through legal loopholes allowed by the 2018 federal Farm Bill.
Why Abbott Said No
Abbott, a Republican, waited until the last possible moment to issue his veto. Critics of the bill say the veto supports:
- Access for patients not eligible for medical marijuana
- Job protection for workers in the booming THC industry
- Revenue stability for small businesses
The governor’s decision reflects growing tension between lawmakers pushing for stricter regulation and entrepreneurs and consumers benefiting from loosely regulated hemp-based THC.
Industry and Community Response
Retailers argued that the bill’s passage would have crippled local economies and eliminated thousands of jobs. Some health advocates supported the bill, citing concerns about the lack of federal oversight in how consumable THC products are produced and marketed.
By rejecting the ban, Texas joins Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis previously vetoed a THC-related bill over small business concerns.
Source: AP News
