Latest news with #SenateBill3
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Greg Abbott Sets Out Vision for Texas THC Regulation
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pushed for strict enforcement to ensure that THC products are not sold to people under the age of 21. Abbott set out a vision for the future of Texas THC regulations after he vetoed a bill that would have fully banned consumable products containing the compound of marijuana that which makes it psychoactive, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, in the state. "We need to have a highly regulated hemp industry," Abbott told Fox 4 on Tuesday. Newsweek has contacted Governor Abbott via email for comment. Main: THC products seen at the Dope Daughters dispensary, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Inset: Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville, Texas. Main: THC products seen at the Dope Daughters dispensary, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Inset: Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville, Texas. Main: Eric Gay, Inset: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo Why It Matters Abbott's approach to THC has put him at loggerheads with fellow Republicans who have supported a complete ban. Some law enforcement leaders have said the only way to fully regulate THC use is to ban it completely and that they will not be able to fully stop smoke shops from illegally selling THC above the state-mandated dose, according to Fox 4. Abbott says regulation is possible when police are given the right resources. What To Know Abbott's proposal for the future of THC is to keep it regulated at its 0.3 percent legal limit. He said he will not be legalizing marijuana in the state, and will be pushing for stricter enforcement to ensure that hemp products are not sold to people under the age of 21, and that they do not contain any synthetic compounds. He told Fox 4 that the industry can be regulated like alcohol, including making it illegal to sell products near areas frequented by children. He added he still wanted hemp farmers and people selling the products to be allowed. In June, Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, which would have fully banned THC in Texas. The bill, introduced by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, received overwhelming Republican support in the state legislature. Critics of THC in the state say that it poses a danger to children who may find it and consume it, and have pointed to THC as a public health risk. Lieutenant Governor Patrick has said that THC consumption leads to addiction and brain alteration, as reported in The Texas Tribune. The governor vetoed it, saying that the "legal defects in the bill are undeniable." He mentioned that a similar ban in Arkansas was stalled by lawsuits for years. The bill would have banned hemp-derived cannabinoids in Texas, the market of which reached $2.78 billion industry in the state in 2023, according to the Baker Institute at Rice University. On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on State Affairs passed Senate Bill 5 with a 10-0 vote. The bill would eliminate the majority of hemp products, according to The Texas Tribune. Hemp-derived cannabinoids were made legal in Texas in 2019 following the passage of a 2018 federal law which legalized hemp. They must contain a THC limit of 0.3 percent. Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick shows products containing THC while calling for a ban on the consumables on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the state Capitol in Austin, Texas. Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick shows products containing THC while calling for a ban on the consumables on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the state Capitol in Austin, Texas. Jim Vertuno/AP Photo What People Are Saying Governor Abbott told Fox 4: "We need to have a highly regulated hemp industry to ensure that farmers are able to grow it and that hemp products that do not have an intoxicating level of THC in it can be sold in the marketplace." Steve Dye, a police chief, told The Texas Tribune: "It would take decades, in our opinion, and millions of millions of dollars to hire and train agents to understand chemistry, potency threshold, lab testing and labeling compliance, and they will never be able to keep pace with the retailers, wholesalers and shippers." What Happens Next Senate Bill 5 has now advanced to the full chamber. But, according to The Texas Tribune, lawmakers in the House are more open about regulating THC products rather than banning them outright.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Greg Abbott orders special legislative session after vetoing 26 bills
Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session early Monday, ordering state legislators back to the Capitol to tackle six bills that he vetoed shortly before the deadline late Sunday. Among them is Senate Bill 3, which would have banned the sale of hemp products containing THC in Texas. Abbott, who said the 30-day special session will begin July 21, can still add items to the call list. In a press release, he described that list as 'initial.' He has faced pressure from President Donald Trump to ask lawmakers to redraw some of Texas' 38 U.S. House districts ahead of the 2026 midterms, but that request was not on the list release Monday. The state constitution only allows lawmakers to pass bills during special sessions on issues selected by the governor. The other bills that lawmakers will reconsider during the special session are: SB 648: Relating to recording requirements for certain instruments concerning real property SB 1253: Relating to impact and production fees for certain water projects and to the regulation of certain wells; authorizing a fee. SB 1278: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution. SB 1758: Relating to the operation of a cement kiln and the production of aggregates near a semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility. SB 2878: Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government. Abbott released statements explaining his rationale for the vetoes. He also vetoed 18 other bills late Sunday that he did not add to the call for the special session. Those measures ranged from changes to the criminal justice system to water rights management that lawmakers had passed during the recently completed legislative session. Abbott had already vetoed two bills by the time the session closed on June 2. Among the bills Abbott vetoed was House Bill 413, which would have ensured that no defendant could be held in custody before trial for longer than the punishment they would receive if convicted. That bill, which was co-authored by a bipartisan group of five lawmakers from around the state, passed the House 126-10 and the Senate 30-1. When promoting the bill on KCEN news before its passage in May, co-author Rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco, said, 'if there's a penalty that requires two years in prison and you've spent two years waiting to go to trial, you need to be released.' Abbott vetoed the bill against the backdrop of sweeping changes to bail laws that he championed this past legislative session that sought to keep violent repeat offenders behind bars. Abbott also vetoed Senate Bill 974, which would have allowed public school teachers to serve on residential appraisal review boards. Supporters of the bill, like Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, had argued that the bill was necessary because "many smaller rural counties have difficulty filling their appraisal review boards during the summer months." However, the bill became a target of conservative activists who argued that the harms of letting teachers sit on these boards statewide outweighed the benefits to rural counties. Andrew McVeigh, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, wrote in a letter to Abbot that he should veto the bill because appraisal review boards have the ability to influence property tax valuations, which help fund school districts. 'Letting teachers sit on these boards undermines the objectivity of the appraisal process and threatens public trust,' McVeigh wrote. The other bills Abbott that vetoed this session include: HB 305: Relating to the time period for conducting pretrial hearings after a criminal defendant has been restored to competency. HB 353: Relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near school or day-care center property HB 449: Relating to the unlawful production or distribution of sexually explicit media using deep fake technology. HB 705: Relating to the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; authorizing fees. HB 1690: Relating to an application for a permit for the transfer of groundwater out of a groundwater conservation district. HB 2243: Relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention. HB 2520: Relating to the open meetings law. HB 3120: Relating to certain duties of the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility. HB 4530: Relating to water rights placed in the Texas Water Trust and the Texas Water Bank. HB 4885: Relating to the disclosure of confidential juvenile records to a managed assigned counsel program. HB 5671: Relating to the election of directors for and the authority to issue bonds of the Johnson County Special Utility District. SB 268: Relating to the procedure for certain complaints against health care practitioners. SB 378: Relating to certain prohibited practices by a barber or cosmetologist. SB 614: Relating to the authority of the Texas Forensic Science Commission to review and refer certain cases to the office of capital and forensic writs. SB 1032: Relating to the eligibility of postsecondary educational institutions to participate in the governor's university research initiative. SB 1838: Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of certain attorneys ad litem in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity. SB 1937: Relating to the testing of evidence containing biological materials in capital cases SB 2111: Relating to legal representation of indigent persons in this state and to proceedings before a magistrate including the appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant. SB 2501: Relating to selection of an attorney by an indigent parent as attorney ad litem for the parent in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship. Big news: 20 more speakers join the TribFest lineup! New additions include Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center; Michael Curry, former presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church; Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative, D-El Paso; Joe Lonsdale, entrepreneur, founder and managing partner at 8VC; and Katie Phang, journalist and trial lawyer. Get tickets. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Gov. Abbott wants to legalize recreational THC
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Abbott's proposal was to permit all locations and make sure they only sell to those over 21. AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a news conference to express his dismay with Gov. Greg Abbott vetoing Senate Bill 3 less than an hour before it would've become law. The eleventh-hour action was accompanied by a call for a special session starting on July 21 to strongly regulate hemp, which Abbott says Texas 'must do immediately.' Gov. Abbott vetoes THC ban, calls upcoming special legislative session 'It sort of puzzles me why my friend Governor Abbott would at the last minute—22 minutes after 11—decide to veto this bill,' Patrick said. 'One can only come to this conclusion, which surprises me. The Governor of the state of Texas wants to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. That's the headline folks.' The strongest push for SB 3 came from Patrick, who previously hosted a confrontational news conference in support of the bill after it had already been sent to Abbott's desk. While Patrick's toss of THC-A infused cereal bites at the reporter pool stole headlines, his response to questions about a potential veto was more paramount in hindsight. 'I speak to the governor every day,' Patrick said in response to the third question asking him if he was afraid about a veto. 'About this?' A reporter asked. 'Look, I'm not going to speak for the governor, OK?' Patrick said. 'He will do what he's going to do. I have total confidence in the governor. You will know his decision when he makes it. The reason I'm here today is for you to tell the story. I'm not worried about the governor understanding it. I'm worried about you all understanding it.' On Sunday night, Patrick posted his disappointment on social media. 'Throughout the legislative session, @GregAbbott_TX remained totally silent on Senate Bill 3, the bill that would have banned dangerous THC products in Texas,' Patrick wrote. 'His late-night veto, on an issue supported by 105 of 108 Republicans in the legislature, strongly backed by law enforcement, many in the medical and education communities, and the families who have seen their loved ones' lives destroyed by these very dangerous drugs, leaves them feeling abandoned. I feel especially bad for those who testified and poured their hearts out on their tragic losses.' In his veto proclamation, Abbott called SB 3 'well-intentioned' but likely to face significant legal challenges. 'It would never go into effect because of valid constitutional challenges. Litigation challenging the bill has already been filed, and the legal defects in the bill are undeniable,' Abbott wrote. 'If I were to allow Senate Bill 3 to become law, its enforcement would be enjoined for years, leaving existing abuses unaddressed. Texas cannot afford to wait.' Abbott called upon Arkansas as an example, the only state to pass a similar measure into law. However, their effort still hasn't gone into effect, as federal courts have put the implementation on pause. 'Their law has sat dormant, meaningless, having no effect for nearly two years while further legal proceedings play out. That result must be avoided in Texas,' Abbott wrote. He said SB 3 conflicts directly with federal law, making it constitutionally problematic. 'It therefore criminalizes what Congress expressly legalized and puts federal and state law on a collision course: Today, federal law promises Texas farmers that they may grow hemp without fear of criminal liability. But under Senate Bill 3, the seeds used to grow those plants are 'consumable products'—currently available in stores—and they naturally contain cannabinoids. What's a Texas farmer to do? Trust the federal government's promise, or fear criminal liability from the State?' He also worries about running afoul of the Fifth Amendment by seizing private property. 'While states may restrict the use of dangerous contraband, it is a different thing entirely to change the rules in the middle of the game, thereby interfering with 'distinct investment-backed expectations' in property,' Abbott wrote. 'Allowing Senate Bill 3 to become law—knowing that it faces a lengthy battle that will render it dead on arrival in court-would hinder rather than help us solve the public safety issues this bill seeks to contain.' While Abbott may have been the former attorney general of Texas and a former state supreme court justice, Patrick disagrees with his assessment. 'I talked to him yesterday, he said, 'It's the Arkansas case,'' Patrick said. 'This was a lowly district judge in Arkansas, and it's been going through the courts, we believe the Eighth Circuit will stand with Arkansas. If that happens while we're going through this charade, then what's the governor going to say? Oh, 'I guess I was wrong about Arkansas.' But even if Arkansas loses, it doesn't matter. Arkansas does not impact Texas.' He also points to other laws Abbott signed which will have obvious legal challenges. 'If they haven't already, they're going to sue us on school choice and the 10 Commandments,' he said, referring to Senate Bill 2 and Senate Bill 10. 'We deal with lawsuits all the time, so that shouldn't be a surprise. He says, 'if we were to allow Senate Bill 3 to become law, its enforcement would be enjoined for years.' How does he know that?' Patrick also accused Abbott of leading him on by telling him to not worry about the bill before the session started and staying silent on the proposal until his last-minute veto. 'He said, 'Don't worry about the bill.' He said, 'Your bill is fine.' That's what he told me in front of witnesses. In fact, he asked a couple of lawyers on my staff—he said, 'Can you give me some answers I can give? Because when I sign this, I need some answers to give,'' Patrick said. 'So what happened? Who convinced him—on his staff, on the outside—to kill Senate Bill 3… where has he been all session? Where has he been? I mean, we get this proclamation from him last night, after midnight, and he parachutes in at the last moment with arguments that we do not think are valid.' 'The problem THC poses for our communities is real. Earlier this year, a 15-year-old in Houston took a large amount of hemp gummies. When he suffered a 'bad reaction,' he called 911, then shot his mother and his sister repeatedly. Just this month, two teens distributed hemp products at a graduation party in Prosper. The celebration ended early when seven high school students had to be rushed to a hospital,' Abbott wrote. 'How did we get here?' Abbott said bad actors are to blame for using the federal government's farm bill to legalize hemp and creating intoxicating products. In his veto proclamation, he called for the legislature to tackle these topics relating to intoxicating hemp: Criminalizing sale to minors Banning sales near schools, churches, parks, playgrounds, etc. Requiring child-safe packaging Banning packaging that appeals to children Requiring permits to sell to those over 21 Banning the mixture of THC and other psychoactive substances, including alcohol and tobacco Requiring testing at all phases of the product Keeping manufacturing and processing facilities up to food safety rules Requiring sellers to maintain warning signs Limiting sale hours Preventing Sunday sales Limiting the raw amount of THC in each product Limiting how many products a consumer can buy in each purchase Requiring a surgeon general-style warning on the label Punishing fake lab results as a felony Punishing public consumption and on-site consumption Allowing local government to prohibit or limit consumable hemp selling Levying excise taxes on the products The special session will start on July 21 and run for 30 days. As the presiding officer of the Senate, Patrick controls what reaches the Senate floor. However, he says he won't be in his chair if THC regulations pass that are short of a ban. 'I'm not sure what the (Senate) members are going to do. That will be up to them, but they will understand they're casting a vote to legalize marijuana in Texas,' Patrick said. 'I don't know how they'll react, but I will not be on the podium if the votes are there.' Patrick said he'd follow the will of the Republican senators. As long as 15 of them support a bill, he'll support it. However, he doesn't believe they have the votes. 'What kind of culture do we want? We want everybody high? I mean, everyone will tell you in [Colorado, California and Washington], work product has gone down. Everywhere you go it smells like grass. It's awful,' Patrick said. 'I don't want that for Texas. You know, gaming and sports betting and that—look, that's a person's choice… but this is life and death. This is life and death. This destroys lives. This reaches a whole other level.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ONE HEMP Commends Governor Abbott's Veto of SB 3
Urges Lawmakers to Protect Access to Hemp Health Products in Upcoming Special Session WASHINGTON, DC, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Today ONE HEMP – a coalition of industry leaders committed to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid (CBD) products – issued a statement of strong support for Governor Greg Abbott's veto of Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which would have banned federally legal, non-intoxicating hemp wellness products relied on by millions of Texans. The industry group commends the Governor for recognizing the bill's flaws and the harm it could have caused to individuals with disabilities, chronic pain, veterans, seniors, and others who depend on safe, science-backed hemp products. In his veto message, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of regulating hemp in a way that protects public safety, aligns with federal law, and is enforceable without delay. ONE HEMP agrees. As the Texas Legislature prepares for the July 22nd special session, ONE HEMP urges lawmakers to adopt a science-based regulatory framework that protects access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp-derived CBD products. "Governor Abbott's veto was a critical first step in protecting access to safe hemp products," shares ONE HEMP member John Harloe, J.D., Ph.D, General Counsel at Village Farms Global Cannabis. "One Hemp supports removing harmful products, like Delta 8, but treating all hemp as dangerous or marijuana is extreme. Lawmakers must now distinguish between intoxicating, unsafe products and those that are non-intoxicating, rigorously tested, and label compliant. Texans deserve smart, science-based policies that protect public safety without punishing those who rely on hemp for their health." ONE HEMP maintains that proposals to move hemp products into the state's medical cannabis dispensary system isn't a substitute for a well-regulated industry. Non-intoxicating hemp does not fit within a regulatory framework designed for medical marijuana. Treating these products as interchangeable could disrupt access and impact the health of Texans who depend on them. ONE HEMP calls on lawmakers to work with advocates and experts to build a regulatory model that: Protects minors from intoxicating products Enforces strict testing and labeling standards Supports law enforcement with clear rules Preserves access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp products "This is Texas's opportunity to lead with science, compassion, and common sense. Let's get this right — for public health and the rights of all Texans," added Mr. Harloe. About ONE HEMP ONE HEMP is an industry working group dedicated to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Comprising leading voices in the CBD sector, the group serves as a scientific resource for policymakers and seeks to promote consumer safety and industry innovation. The group has enlisted some of the world's foremost cannabinoid researchers and toxicologists, ensuring that their approach is firmly rooted in robust scientific research and a deep understanding of CBD's safety profile. ONE HEMP's founding mission is to demand regulatory standards by Congress and the FDA that treat CBD products as dietary supplements and serve as a leading scientific resource to policymakers to ensure consumer safety and consistency. ONE HEMP aims to set industry benchmarks, nurturing trust and innovation in the CBD sector. Industry leaders that have joined ONE HEMP include – among others – Charlotte's Web (TSX: CWEB, OTCQX: CWBHF) and CBDistillery. Taken together these leaders represent some of the largest providers of CBD products. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ONE HEMP Sign in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
24-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
ONE HEMP Commends Governor Abbott's Veto of SB 3
Urges Lawmakers to Protect Access to Hemp Health Products in Upcoming Special Session WASHINGTON, DC, /CNW/ - Today ONE HEMP – a coalition of industry leaders committed to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid (CBD) products – issued a statement of strong support for Governor Greg Abbott's veto of Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which would have banned federally legal, non-intoxicating hemp wellness products relied on by millions of Texans. The industry group commends the Governor for recognizing the bill's flaws and the harm it could have caused to individuals with disabilities, chronic pain, veterans, seniors, and others who depend on safe, science-backed hemp products. In his veto message, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of regulating hemp in a way that protects public safety, aligns with federal law, and is enforceable without delay. ONE HEMP agrees. As the Texas Legislature prepares for the July 22nd special session, ONE HEMP urges lawmakers to adopt a science-based regulatory framework that protects access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp-derived CBD products. " Governor Abbott's veto was a critical first step in protecting access to safe hemp products," shares ONE HEMP member John Harloe, J.D., Ph.D, General Counsel at Village Farms Global Cannabis." One Hemp supports removing harmful products, like Delta 8, but treating all hemp as dangerous or marijuana is extreme. Lawmakers must now distinguish between intoxicating, unsafe products and those that are non-intoxicating, rigorously tested, and label compliant. Texans deserve smart, science-based policies that protect public safety without punishing those who rely on hemp for their health." ONE HEMP maintains that proposals to move hemp products into the state's medical cannabis dispensary system isn't a substitute for a well-regulated industry. Non-intoxicating hemp does not fit within a regulatory framework designed for medical marijuana. Treating these products as interchangeable could disrupt access and impact the health of Texans who depend on them. ONE HEMP calls on lawmakers to work with advocates and experts to build a regulatory model that: Protects minors from intoxicating products Enforces strict testing and labeling standards Supports law enforcement with clear rules Preserves access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp products " This is Texas's opportunity to lead with science, compassion, and common sense. Let's get this right — for public health and the rights of all Texans," added Mr. Harloe. ONE HEMP is an industry working group dedicated to advancing regulatory standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Comprising leading voices in the CBD sector, the group serves as a scientific resource for policymakers and seeks to promote consumer safety and industry innovation. The group has enlisted some of the world's foremost cannabinoid researchers and toxicologists, ensuring that their approach is firmly rooted in robust scientific research and a deep understanding of CBD's safety profile. ONE HEMP's founding mission is to demand regulatory standards by Congress and the FDA that treat CBD products as dietary supplements and serve as a leading scientific resource to policymakers to ensure consumer safety and consistency. ONE HEMP aims to set industry benchmarks, nurturing trust and innovation in the CBD sector. Industry leaders that have joined ONE HEMP include – among others – Charlotte's Web (TSX: CWEB, OTCQX: CWBHF) and CBDistillery. Taken together these leaders represent some of the largest providers of CBD products.
