Scope: Federal (Texas)
Branch: Executive
Severity: Green
Date occurred: June 22, 2025
Phase: Jun 2025
Just before the midnight veto deadline on June 22, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, which would have banned all THC-containing consumable hemp products, including delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10. The bill had passed with strong support, including 105 of 108 Republicans in the legislature, and was Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's top legislative priority. Abbott called the bill well-intentioned but said it would face "valid constitutional challenges" under the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp, and would criminalize what Congress had expressly legalized. He immediately called a special session beginning July 21, 2025 to pass stricter regulation instead of an outright ban. Patrick publicly and sharply criticized the veto, stating Abbott had privately assured him the bill was "fine" before reversing course, and accused the governor of effectively wanting to legalize recreational marijuana.
Constitutional basis: Governor exercising the state constitution's gubernatorial veto power over legislative action, citing federal preemption concerns under the 2018 Farm Bill
Sources
- Texas Tribune
- NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
- Houston Public Media
- FOX 7 Austin