In a dramatic, last-minute decision, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) on Sunday, halting a sweeping ban on THC and hemp-derived cannabinoids that had been poised to take effect across Texas in September.
What SB 3 Proposed
Authored by Senator Charles Perry (R–Lubbock) and championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, SB 3 sought to outlaw the production, sale, and possession of virtually all THC-containing hemp products in Texas—including popular cannabinoids like Delta-8 and Delta-9. Only non-intoxicating compounds such as CBD and CBG would have remained legal.
The bill also proposed criminalizing THC possession as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to $4,000 in fines and one year in jail. Had it been signed into law, SB 3 would have been among the most restrictive THC bans in the United States, according to ABC News.
The legislation passed the Texas Senate in a 24–7 vote, and later cleared the House in May with an 87–54 margin, setting the stage for what appeared to be a guaranteed signature from Abbott—until his unexpected veto.
A Polarizing Push
SB 3 became one of the most hotly debated bills of the 2025 legislative session. Lt. Gov. Patrick placed it among the “top five” bills of his career, framing it as a public health imperative amid concerns about youth access and THC-induced mental health issues.
However, opposition to the bill spanned both sides of the aisle. According to polling by Trump-aligned firm Fabrizio, Lee & Associates and cited by the Houston Chronicle, 70% of Texans support legalized THC with regulation, and 44% of Republicans opposed SB 3 outright—compared to just 31% who favored it.
Economic and Medical Concerns
Critics warned that the bill threatened to devastate an $8 billion industry that supports over 53,000 jobs and generates $267 million in tax revenue. Entrepreneurs, veterans, and patients reliant on hemp-derived THC for chronic pain or PTSD spoke out forcefully against the legislation, warning it would push them toward more dangerous or illicit alternatives.
Among the most visible opponents was former NFL star and University of Texas legend Ricky Williams, who helped organize Project Champion, a campaign that collected over 150,000 signatures urging a veto. Williams, a long-time advocate for cannabis reform, argued SB 3 was out of step with public opinion and medical reality.
Why Abbott Rejected SB 3
Abbott remained mostly silent during the bill’s passage, but upon vetoing it, he issued a detailed statement highlighting major concerns:
- Lack of regulatory infrastructure
- Potential legal challenges at the federal level
- Unintended consequences for Texas farmers and small businesses
“Texas must enact a regulatory framework that protects public safety, aligns with federal law, has a fully funded enforcement structure, and can take effect without delay,” Abbott stated. He also floated the idea of regulating THC similarly to alcohol, potentially under the oversight of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
What’s Next?
Following the veto, Abbott announced a special legislative session for July 21 to develop a comprehensive regulatory approach for consumable hemp products. The move signals a possible shift away from prohibition and toward structured oversight—something many advocates had been calling for from the beginning.
For now, the status quo remains: hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight remain legal in Texas, though their future is far from settled.