Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed a bill that would have banned the sale and use of consumable products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), including popular gummies and vape pens. The late-night veto on Sunday keeps these hemp-derived products legal in the state, at least for now, spiking a top priority for some conservative lawmakers.
The proposed law, Senate Bill 3, would have made it a misdemeanor to own, manufacture, or sell these THC-infused goods. Supporters argued the ban was necessary to close a legal loophole created by the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and inadvertently paved the way for the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products in states like Texas where recreational marijuana remains illegal. They cited concerns over the lack of federal oversight and potential safety issues.
However, critics of the bill, including the state's burgeoning hemp industry, argued that a ban would hurt thousands of jobs and eliminate products that many Texans use for relief, particularly those who don't qualify for the state's limited medical marijuana program. Governor Abbott's veto mirrors a similar move by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023, who also rejected a bill to restrict THC products, citing concerns over its impact on small businesses.
