What did Gov. Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick say about banning THC products in Texas?
Senate Bill 3, which was recently approved by both the Texas Senate and House, and now makes its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to become law, would prohibit the making and sale of consumable hemp products that contain any amount of a cannabinoid other than CBD and CBG.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been an outspoken supporter of banning THC products in Texas, even going so far as to spar with a media member this week about the bill. But what has Gov. Abbott said about the potential ban that could douse the booming hemp industry?
Here’s what the two state officials have said about banning THC.
Patrick speaks on ‘dangers of THC,’ spars with reporter
Patrick held a press conference on May 28 to discuss the “importance of this vital legislation.”
“This is serious business, this is not Dan’s folly,” Patrick said. “This is to save an entire generation from being hooked on drugs.”
Patrick claims that some 8,000 THC-selling shops have sprouted up in the last three years, many of them “without permits.” He said these shops are selling products to kids to “destroy” them and that it can poison anyone, even adults.
During the press conference, a reporter with the Houston Chronicle asked Patrick if there was a way have the ban while also giving access to adults who use THC products.
Patrick quickly said no and that they don’t want anyone to have access to THC products in Texas.
“You wanna go home and eat a bag of this tonight and see if you’re here tomorrow?” Patrick said while holding a bag THC-infused cereal bites. “We focus on kids, because that’s where they built the shops, but adults are buying this stuff too.”
Abbott on THC ban
After Patrick’s press conference, a few media outlets reached out to Abbott’s office for comment on the governor’s stance on the THC bill.
They were sent the same statement.
“Governor Abbott will thoughtfully review any legislation sent to his desk,” an Abbott spokesperson told KTRK-TV in Houston, KDFW in Dallas and the Star-Telegram.
The 89th Texas Legislature’s regular session ends on June 2.
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM.
