No action was taken by Texas state lawmakers after an acrimonious spat on whether hemp-derived THC products may continue legal sales in the state.
Thousands of Texas hemp retailers can keep their doors open for the foreseeable future. The Texas Legislature’s second special session ended without any bills regarding the regulation or outright ban of cannabis products winning approval, the Austin Business Journal reported.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the State Senate, wrote on X last week that he, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows were unable to reach a resolution they could all live with. Patrick had pushed for a complete THC ban which passed both chambers during the regular legislative session, but Abbott vetoed the bill.
Patrick’s Senate Bill 3 would have effectively banned the sale of most THC products derived from hemp, including Delta-8 and Delta-9 gummies and vapes. It was ultimately vetoed by Abbott, who cited a need to better define what products would be restricted and a regulatory framework during the special session.
The bill threatened to eliminate an estimated $8 billion in annual revenue across 8,500 stores, causing ripple effects on retail real estate.
The Republican-majority body and governor did agree on a ban specifically targeting vapes. Senate Bill 2024 banned vapes containing THC and hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as Delta-8, during the regular session. The bill banned vaping devices other than for nicotine, including cannabinoids, kratom, kava, mushrooms and tianeptine.
The next regular session of the biennial legislature will begin in January 2027, but the governor could call a third special session if he deems it necessary.
The lack of action isn’t just a win for retailers but also Texas farmers who grow hemp. Together with retailers, the industry in Texas has grown to more than 53,000 workers.
— Eric Weilbacher
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