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Texas Legislature Advances Sweeping Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Products

Senate Bill 3, now awaiting Governor Greg Abbott's decision, threatens the state's $8 billion hemp industry and intensifies debates over regulation, public safety, and veterans' access.

Cannabis buds with high CBD and low THC content stand on display in glass jars plant at an exhibitor's stand at the Mary Jane Berlin cannabis and hemp trade fair on June 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.
Texas Capitol during opening day of the 89th Texas Legislative Session in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
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Overview

  • Senate Bill 3, passed by both chambers of the Texas Legislature, bans all hemp-derived THC products, including Delta-8, Delta-9, and synthetic cannabinoids.
  • The bill imposes strict penalties, with possession classified as a Class A misdemeanor and manufacturing as a third-degree felony, carrying fines and potential jail time.
  • Non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD and CBG are exempt, and low-THC medical marijuana remains available only through the state's limited medical program.
  • Critics warn the ban could push consumers to an unregulated black market, harm small businesses, and restrict veterans' access to therapeutic THC products.
  • The Texas Hemp Business Council plans legal challenges, advocating for regulation over prohibition to protect the $8 billion industry and its 50,000 workers.