Texas lawmakers wrapped up their second special session of the year this week, having passed a wide range of conservative priorities. But as Houston Public Media reports, one measure they did not pass, Senate Bill 6, involved a proposed ban on the sale of products containing T-H-C – the intoxicating component of cannabis.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is the state’s lead advocate of a total THC ban. Patrick wrote on social media that he, along with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows had been in heavy discussions over the last two days yet failed to reach an agreement.
As both Texas Public Radio and its nonprofit news partner The Texas Tribune report, it was ultimately the swift pushback from all those involved in the $5.5 billion Texas Hemp industry that made all the difference in preventing a total ban on THC, or THC-derived products and no new, stricter regulations, either on the so-called edibles which include gummies, flower buds and drinks that are sold at convenience stores, liquor stores, smoke shops and even some grocery stores across Texas – will remain legal. Melanne Carpenter co-owns the dispensary Serenity Organics in Missouri City, southwest of Houston. “We went up against the big guys, and we came out on top, or at least for today.”
Actually, Texas lawmakers had passed a THC ban on May 25, during the 140-day regular legislative session. But Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3 on June 22, 2025.
