Lt. Governor Patrick Holds Press Conference on THC Bill Veto

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) held a press conference this week, questioning why Governor Greg Abbott (R) vetoed Senate Bill 3, the controversial THC bill. Lt. Governor Patrick made it clear that he disagreed with the governor's veto, declaring that Governor Abbott's decision shows he wants to legalize recreational marijuana use.

In the press conference, which lasted a little over a half hour, Lt. Governor Patrick pressed the governor over his decision to veto SB 3. The bill, which Lt. Governor Patrick declared was a top priority for him, received significant support from Republicans, including some Democrats in the Senate who voted in favor. Despite the push for seeing it signed into law, the lt. governor made it clear that SB 3 "is not a Dan Patrick bill. This is a bill that reasonable people in professionals that know best, from medicine to law enforcement to education, all support.”

Citing that police departments across the state had written letters encouraging Governor Abbott to sign the bill and that various medical organizations had also voiced their support, Lt. Governor Patrick accused the governor of working against conservative priorities.

“The governor of the state of Texas wants to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas," he said.

“It puzzles me why my friend… Governor Abbott would, at the last minute, at about 22 minutes after 11, decide to veto this bill. I know he gave the reasons in his proclamation, but our team simply doesn’t agree with those reasons, and we’ll talk through that," Lt. Governor Patrick commented.

He noted that the governor and him are likely to disagree from time to time, but "this is a fight that didn't need to be."

Governor Abbott has called for a special session on July 21st, which will tackle regulating the hemp industry in Texas.

“Again, what Governor Abbott proposes is for us to legalize marijuana in Texas by regulating it," the lt. governor reiterated.