Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed a bill that would have imposed a sweeping ban on THC consumables across the state, allowing the sale of THC-infused vapes, gummies, and other popular products to continue.
Abbott, a Republican, issued the veto on Sunday, just before the bill’s deadline, blocking what would have been one of the strictest THC bans in the nation. The proposed legislation aimed to make it a misdemeanor to manufacture, own, or sell consumable THC products, a significant blow to Texas’ billion-dollar THC industry.
The bill marked Texas’ latest effort to crack down on THC after a 2018 federal law granted states the authority to regulate hemp — a plant similar to marijuana that can be synthetically processed to produce THC, the compound responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects.
Despite Texas having some of the nation’s toughest marijuana laws — including a ban on recreational use and a limited medical marijuana program — loopholes in existing legislation have allowed a booming market of THC-infused products to flourish. For many Texans, these products offer a legal alternative that delivers effects similar to marijuana.
Supporters of the now-vetoed bill, including several Republican lawmakers, have criticized the consumables market as dangerous, citing the lack of federal oversight in how these products are manufactured. Some states, including California, have implemented regulations such as age limits and potency restrictions to control THC products.
Opponents of the bill argue that it helps Texans who cannot access the state’s restrictive medical marijuana program, providing relief for certain medical conditions. Retailers and industry advocates also point to the thousands of jobs and millions in revenue generated by the THC consumables industry.
Abbott’s decision mirrors a similar move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who vetoed legislation last year that would have placed age restrictions on THC consumables, citing concerns about the impact on small businesses.
For now, THC consumables will remain legal in Texas, with their future likely to remain a hot topic in the state’s ongoing debate over marijuana policy.
