Greg Abbott Vetoes Texas THC Ban, Veterans Celebrate

In a move that left jaws on the floor and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick aggressively tweeting into the void, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott shocked everyone by vetoing a full ban on THC products. Yes, you read that right. Abbott, the same governor who usually stays comfortably seated in the conservative choir, just hit the brakes on a bill that would have outlawed delta-8, delta-9, and pretty much everything short of hemp rope.

And he didn’t just veto it quietly. Abbott waited until minutes before the deadline, then dropped the veto like a plot twist in a telenovela and called a special session for July 21 to talk regulations instead. If you heard faint screaming in the distance, that was probably Dan Patrick.

What Was in the Ban?

Senate Bill 3, lovingly championed by Patrick as one of his “top five” priorities (because banning hemp gummies is clearly more urgent than, say, fixing the power grid), aimed to make consumable hemp with any trace of THC illegal in Texas. That includes your favorite sleepy-time gummies, calming teas, THC seltzers, and even vapes and flower buds.

The bill sailed through both chambers with Republican support. But Abbott, who had kept suspiciously quiet during the legislative session, finally weighed in with a firm “nope.” He argued the bill was a constitutional disaster waiting to happen. Turns out, banning a federally legal product doesn't really hold up well in court, especially when 2018’s Farm Bill already legalized hemp at the federal level.

So instead of tossing Texas into a legal quagmire, Abbott suggested something radical: regulate it like alcohol. Crazy, right?

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Veterans, Farmers, and a Very Angry Dan Patrick

Abbott’s decision came after weeks of mounting pressure not just from liberal groups or industry lobbyists, but from a surprising coalition of military veterans, hemp farmers, and even conservative activists. Many veterans argued that THC-infused hemp products helped them manage chronic pain, PTSD, and other health issues without turning to opioids. The ban, they said, would do real harm.

The industry also made its case loud and clear, citing over 50,000 jobs and an estimated $8 billion in tax revenue generated annually. That’s a lot of economic power to just flush away because someone found a gummy too strong.

Meanwhile, Patrick, perhaps imagining a dystopian Texas ruled by THC lollipops, went full scorched-earth on social media, accusing Abbott of abandoning law enforcement and families affected by high-potency products. He even filmed himself visiting cannabis shops in what can only be described as the most awkward “Undercover Boss” episode that never aired.

So, What Now?

Abbott wants lawmakers to return to the Capitol on July 21 and do what Texas does best: write overly complex regulations. He’s asking for a framework that mirrors alcohol rules, complete with age restrictions, product testing, local opt-outs, and better funding for law enforcement. In other words, treat THC like it’s 2024 and not 1924.

This sets up a rare showdown between the two most powerful Republicans in Texas. Patrick wants prohibition. Abbott wants regulation. And Texans? Many of them just want their gummies.

For now, the hemp industry lives to fight another day, veterans keep their medicine, and Greg Abbott, of all people, is the one telling Texas to chill out.

Let that sink in.