Texas Hemp Industry Faces Uncertain Future as Governor Considers THC Ban
As the deadline approaches for Governor Gregg Abbott to sign or veto Senate Bill 3, a growing number of Texans are urging him to reject the proposed ban on THC-derived from hemp. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support in May, has sparked widespread opposition from the Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) and its supporters.
According to THBC, over 200,000 Texans have voiced their opposition to the bill through various channels, including a petition that has garnered over 153,000 signatures. Thousands of handwritten letters have also been delivered to the Governor’s office, with more arriving in recent days.
THBC Executive Director Mark Bordas claims that the bill would eliminate $4.3 billion in annual revenue and 53,000 jobs in the state, as well as flood the market with unregulated and unsafe products. Bordas argues that instead of targeting the hemp industry, the state should focus on regulating and taxing products that are proven to be harmful, such as alcohol and tobacco.
Bordas also accuses powerful lobbyists linked to legal marijuana monopolies and “Big Alcohol” of pushing for the ban to criminalize the state’s hemp industry. He claims that Texans want fairness, freedom, and safe, regulated choices, rather than backroom deals that prioritize political influence over people’s lives.
A new poll suggests that 61% of Texans oppose the ban, with 70% of voters agreeing that THC products should remain available with appropriate regulations. The THBC has launched a petition stating that the ban would deprive Texans of natural alternatives for treating chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders, as well as threaten small businesses and farmers who depend on hemp production.
Governor Abbott has yet to indicate which way he will go with the bill, but has stated that he will evaluate all positions and concerns on both sides. The fate of the Texas hemp industry hangs in the balance as the clock ticks down on his decision.
