Governor Greg Abbott's (R) late-night veto of Senate Bill 3, which would have banned certain hemp-derived THC products in Texas, drew swift and pointed criticism from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R).
In a statement posted on social media, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the Governor had remained silent throughout the session on the issue, only to reject the bill in a late-night move that defied broad support.
Patrick wrote, “His late-night veto, on an issue supported by 105 of 108 Republicans in the legislature, strongly backed by law enforcement, many in the medical and education communities, and the families who have seen their loved ones’ lives destroyed by these very dangerous drugs, leaves them feeling abandoned.”
Senate Bill 3 aimed to restrict the sale of consumable hemp products containing psychoactive cannabinoids such as delta-8 and delta-9 THC, which have surged in popularity since the federal legalization of industrial hemp in 2018. Texas legalized hemp in 2019, but regulation of THC derivatives has remained a gray area.
Gov. Abbott included SB 3 on the list of bills he may revisit during the upcoming special session, which he announced will begin on July 21. However, the veto immediately removed the measure from the list of bills approved during the regular session, where it had passed with overwhelming Republican support.
Patrick expressed personal frustration on behalf of those who supported the bill, particularly families affected by substance abuse.
“I feel especially bad for those who testified and poured their hearts out on their tragic losses,” he said. “I will have much more to say at a press conference tomorrow in Austin.”
Abbott has signed 1,155 bills and vetoed 26 from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. His office has not released a detailed explanation for the SB 3 veto.
The veto sets up a potential public showdown between the state’s top two Republicans as the special session approaches, with pressure likely to build around whether hemp product restrictions will be revived in a revised form.
