Texas is About to Massacre Its Hemp Industry
The lights are dimming for the Texas hemp industry, which looks poised to suffer a massacre. As of Wednesday evening, May 21, 2025, the state legislature passed to its third (and likely final) reading of SB3, a bill that radically overhauls the state’s existing hemp laws and functions as a de-facto hemp killer. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is leveraging his political weight to push through the prohibition bill, which he says is one of the most important of his career.
Although the final text will not be available for several days, SB3 will likely prohibit hemp products that contain any cannabinoids except cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). Long considered a haven for hemp products, including the burgeoning hemp-derived beverage and THCa flower categories, Texas will lose its place as a leader in progressive and sensible hemp policies if SB3 becomes law.
There may not be much that the hemp industry can do to stop the legislature from enacting SB3. However, I urge Texans to contact their representatives on Thursday, May 22. Let them know that SB3 will devastate an industry that serves millions and to vote “no”. If this bill passes, a lawsuit will likely follow, but that is an issue for another day. For now, call your representatives.
May 22, 2025
Rod Kight is an international cannabis lawyer. He represents businesses throughout the cannabis industry. Additionally, Rod speaks at cannabis conferences, drafts and presents legislation to foreign governments, is regularly quoted on cannabis matters in the media, and is the editor of the Kight on Cannabis legal blog, which discusses legal issues affecting the cannabis industry. You can schedule a call with him by clicking here.
I sure wish there was something you could do to represent us in Texas. We’ve called until we are blue in the faces. They don’t care. And how can it be legal for evil Patrick to withhold education funding to push his bill through? How does that represent constituents? He COERCED legislators to vote for this and that should be illegal. I truly hope his political career is over forever.
Carol- Thanks for your comments. I’m very disappointed and frustrated with the Texas lawmakers who are voting against hemp. At this point, there’s not a lot that can be done, but we are watching every step and advising clients on their options. -Rod