Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) said today that he has not yet decided whether he will sign or veto a bill that would outlaw all hemp-derived THC products in the state.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (photo credit: Montinique Monroe/Getty Images).
Speaking about Senate Bill 3, which has been approved by the full legislature and would implement the ban starting September 1, Abbott said he plans to take a deliberative approach before making his final decision.
“I’m going to give it the thoughtful consideration from every angle that it deserves,” said the governor. “I’ll put in the time that’s going to be needed to address it appropriately.”
Abbott has until June 22 to either sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. He emphasized that he will be weighing arguments from both sides, noting, “This is a time when I will once again put on my judicial hat and weigh arguments on both sides and figure out a pathway forward.”
The comments come amid a flood of opposition from within Abbott’s own party. Veterans, business owners, and everyday users have been urging him to reject the bill, which would shutter an estimated 8,500 hemp THC retailers operating across Texas and rapidly end a multi-billion dollar industry.
