In a dramatic eleventh-hour move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB3) late Sunday night, June 22, 2025, sparing the state’s $8 billion hemp industry from obliteration and setting the stage for a contentious special legislative session to address the regulation of consumable hemp products. The decision, which defied the expectations of powerful allies like Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, has ignited a firestorm of debate, pitting free-market principles and constitutional fidelity against calls for stringent public safety measures. For Texas conservatives, Abbott’s veto represents a principled stand against heavy-handed government overreach, but it also exposes fault lines within the Republican coalition as the state grapples with the future of a burgeoning industry.
SB3, authored by Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and championed by Patrick, sought to ban all consumable hemp products containing any measurable amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other intoxicating cannabinoids, including the popular delta-8 and delta-9 compounds. The bill’s draconian provisions—criminalizing possession as a misdemeanor and manufacturing as a felony—would have shuttered an industry that employs 53,000 Texans, generates $267 million in annual tax revenue, and supports thousands of small businesses and farmers. Its passage through the Senate (26–5) and House (87–54) reflected strong Republican support, driven by concerns over unregulated hemp products and their accessibility to minors. Yet, the bill’s blanket prohibition clashed with the federal 2018 Farm Bill, which legalizes hemp products with up to 0.3% delta-9 THC, setting the stage for Abbott’s veto.
In a four-page proclamation, Abbott delivered a constitutional rebuke to SB3, arguing that its outright ban would “not withstand valid constitutional challenges” and would create a “collision course” with federal law. Citing a 2023 federal court ruling that halted a similar ban in Arkansas, Abbott warned that SB3 would likely be enjoined, leaving Texas with no regulatory framework to protect public safety. “The result in Arkansas? Their law has sat dormant, meaningless, having no effect for nearly two years,” he wrote. Instead of prohibition, Abbott called for a regulatory approach modeled on alcohol laws, including age restrictions, mandatory testing, and local control over retail. His announcement of a special session starting July 21, 2025, to craft such a framework signals a commitment to balancing public safety with economic liberty—a hallmark of constitutional conservatism.
The veto was a triumph for the Texas Hemp Business Council, which mobilized 150,000 petition signatures and 5,000 handwritten letters to sway the governor. “Governor Abbott’s veto reinforces Texas’ reputation as a leader in business innovation and practical policymaking,” the council declared, praising his rejection of “overreach” that would have pushed consumers toward unregulated black markets. Veterans, a key constituency, also celebrated. Dave Walden, a combat veteran and Texas VFW senior vice commander, credited hemp-derived THC gummies with helping him avoid opioids since 2018. “This is about control, not public safety,” Walden said at a June press conference. “Veterans are caught in the crossfire.”
Farmers and small business owners echoed this sentiment. A sixth-generation Texan farmer warned that SB3 would “wipe out the entire hemp crop,” devastating rural economies. Candice Stinnett, a Texas Hemp Coalition board member, expressed relief, noting the industry’s willingness to embrace “tightened” regulations. On X, the hashtag #VetoSB3 trended as Texans from all walks—entrepreneurs, patients, and liberty-minded conservatives—hailed Abbott’s decision. “Texans aren’t buying it, and neither should @GregAbbott_TX,” posted the Hemp Business Council, reflecting widespread skepticism of prohibitionist rhetoric.
Yet, the veto has drawn sharp criticism from SB3’s supporters, exposing tensions within the GOP. Lieutenant Governor Patrick, visibly stung, accused Abbott of betraying the 105 Republicans who backed the bill, along with law enforcement and families affected by addiction. In a fiery X post, Patrick lamented Abbott’s “total silence” during the legislative session and announced a press conference for June 23 to rally opposition. Groups like Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Texas, backed by Houston-area mothers, argued that unregulated hemp products pose a dire threat to youth, citing cases of mental health crises linked to high-potency THC.
For constitutional conservatives, Abbott’s veto is a victory for limited government and federalism. SB3’s clash with the 2018 Farm Bill risked federal preemption, undermining Texas’ sovereignty to regulate its own markets. Moreover, its criminal penalties—jailing farmers and shop owners for federally legal products—smacked of the same overreach conservatives decry in other contexts. The Reason Foundation, a libertarian voice, had urged Abbott to reject SB3, arguing it would “dismantle” an industry while doing little to curb youth access. Regulation, not prohibition, they argued, is the answer.
Still, the veto is not the end of the story. Abbott’s call for a special session places the hemp issue squarely in the crosshairs of Texas’ political machine. The governor’s proposed regulatory framework—barring sales to minors, mandating testing, and empowering local governments—offers a path forward but faces hurdles. Patrick’s influence in the Senate and the bill’s prior legislative support suggest a fierce fight ahead. The hemp industry, while relieved, remains on edge, with stakeholders like Hayden Meek of Delta 8 Denton preparing for potential legal battles if regulation veers too restrictive.
Abbott’s decision underscores a broader truth: in Texas, the battle for liberty often hinges on resisting the temptation to over-regulate in the name of safety. As the special session looms, conservatives must hold the line, ensuring that any new framework respects the Constitution, protects economic freedom, and avoids the pitfalls of prohibition. For now, the hemp industry breathes a sigh of relief—but the fight for its future is just beginning.