Texas Governor Vetos Anti-Hemp Bill

Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed SB3 late last night in a nail-biter for the industry. As I wrote a month ago, SB3 would kill the state’s hemp industry. Given that Texas is the country’s largest hemp market, the bill’s effects would have rippled throughout the country. This is an enormous win for the industry and a rare split between the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, Dan Patrick, who aggressively promoted the hemp ban. 

The Texas legislature is unique in that it only holds session every two years. That being said, we should expect a special session as Governor Abbott specifically stated in his veto proclamation (below) that Texas needs updated hemp regulations immediately. That will provide an opportunity for Texas to update its existing regulations, although it also presents another bite at the apple for prohibitionists. But for now, hemp companies in Texas and throughout the country are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

Here is the veto proclamation:

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June 23, 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.