The Texas Hemp Business Council, an industry organization dedicated to promoting the hemp-based cannabinoid industry in Texas, sent out a press release this morning praising Governor Abbott’s decision to veto Senate Bill 3.
“Governor Greg Abbott’s veto of SB 3 reinforces Texas’ reputation as a leader in business innovation and practical policymaking”, said the Council. “By choosing balance over overreach, Governor Abbott protected a vibrant, federally legal hemp industry that employs 53,000 Texans and generates over $4.3 billion in annual sales.”
Senate Bill 3 would have placed a ban on essentially all hemp-derived THC products, including products containing delta-8 THC, THCO, THCA, and other cannabinoids. The Council says that “Governor Abbott’s veto protects the hundreds of thousands of farmers, veterans, small businesses and adult consumers across Texas who rely on hemp for wellness and their livelihoods.”
They continue by saying “Texas already has strong hemp regulations under HB 1325, such as strict rules on THC limits, full panel testing, licensing, labeling and accessible certificates of analysis. We continue to advocate for sensible additions, such as limiting sales to those 21 and older, requiring child-resistant packaging, and establishing setbacks from schools, all of which were rejected by proponents of SB 3 in both the 88th and 89th Legislatures.”
The council says polling “consistently shows that Texans do not support a ban on hemp-derived products. We commend Governor Abbott for his leadership and for listening to the more than 150,000 petition signers and thousands more who shared their stories through handwritten letters”, finishing by noting that they “remain committed to working with lawmakers and stakeholders to support a safe, well-regulated hemp industry, not just for Texas, but as a model for the nation.”
The victory may be short lived, however, as Governor Abbott’s office says they want Senate Bill 3 revised and repassed in a special session he has scheduled for July 21. Still, proponents of the state’s hemp industry are hopeful that during the session lawmakers will pass a bill that regulates hemp THC products, rather than outlaws them outright.
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