SB3 Vetoed: Texas Hemp Industry Lives to Fight Another Day
By Sara S. | June 2025 | Cannabis & Wellness Contributor
Texas just dodged a legislative bullet.
On June 22, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB3)—a controversial proposal that would have effectively banned hemp-derived THC products like Delta-8, Delta-9, and other cannabinoids currently sold across the state. For the tens of thousands of small business owners, farmers, and wellness brands who’ve built livelihoods around legal hemp, this veto wasn’t just welcome—it was a lifeline.
Let’s walk through what this means, what comes next, and why there’s reason to be both cautious and hopeful.
🌿 What SB3 Tried to Do (and Why It Failed)
Senate Bill 3 proposed sweeping restrictions that would have made the sale and possession of hemp-derived THC products illegal. This included popular products like:
- Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC gummies
- THC beverages
- Vape cartridges
- Any other consumable hemp product with psychoactive effects
While the bill passed through both chambers of the Texas Legislature, Gov. Abbott hit the brakes. His veto message made it clear: prohibition isn’t the answer—regulation is.
🛑 Abbott’s Reasons for Vetoing SB3:
Legal gray areas: A broad ban could run into constitutional issues and trigger lawsuits.
Economic consequences: More than 53,000 jobs and an $8+ billion industry were on the line.
Regulation > Criminalization: Abbott signaled a preference for thoughtful, enforceable rules—not blanket bans that punish responsible businesses.
And let’s be real—this wasn’t just about hemp. It was about freedom, commerce, and common sense.
🔁 What’s Next: The Special Session
Just because SB3 is dead doesn’t mean the conversation is over. In fact, it’s just getting started.
Governor Abbott has called a special legislative session beginning July 21, 2025. The goal? Craft new, smart regulations for hemp-derived THC products.
⚖️ What a Special Session Means in Texas:
- Only the Governor can call one
- Limited to 30 days
- Only covers topics chosen by the Governor—in this case: hemp regulations
- Can be extended or repeated if no agreement is reached
This special session is an opportunity to create a sustainable, safe, and fair framework for Texas’ growing hemp economy.
📝 What New Rules Are Being Considered?
While no bills have been drafted yet, here’s what lawmakers are likely to discuss:
- Minimum age of 21 to purchase hemp-derived THC products
- Restrictions on sales near schools, playgrounds, and child-centered areas
- Childproof packaging and standardized labeling
- A licensing system for manufacturers and retailers
- Local control: Letting cities regulate where products can be sold
- Possibly a state tax structure to bring in revenue from sales
✅ The goal: Protect consumers—without crushing the industry.
🌟 Why This Matters
This is a make-or-break moment for the Texas hemp industry. The outcome will affect:
- Consumers who use hemp products for sleep, anxiety, pain relief, or wellness
- Small businesses and smoke shops that rely on THC sales
- Texas farmers and processors who grow, harvest, and manufacture these goods
- Veterans, seniors, and working-class Texans who prefer hemp over pharmaceuticals
The veto of SB3 is a win. But the fight is far from over. The next few weeks will shape the legal future of hemp in the Lone Star State.
👀 What to Expect in the Coming Weeks
Here’s how to stay engaged:
✅ Track the special session: July 21–August 20, 2025
✅ Watch for proposed bills around packaging, sales locations, and age limits
✅ Speak up if you’re a consumer, advocate, or business owner—this is your moment
✅ Be prepared for additional special sessions if consensus isn’t reached
🌱 Final Thoughts: A Win for Common Sense
Texas has always been a state that values freedom, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The veto of SB3 honors those principles—and gives us a chance to do this the right way.
This plant has helped veterans sleep, relieved anxiety for busy parents, and sparked new business opportunities in towns across Texas. We’re proud of that at Simple Leaf. And we believe in a future where hemp is respected, regulated, and allowed to thrive responsibly.
So here’s to better laws, smarter policy, and a plant that’s changing lives—for the better.
✨ Stay informed. Stay vocal. Stay proud of the plant.
The hemp industry isn’t going anywhere—and neither are we.
