Instead of ban, Texas Governor Greg Abbott wants THC regulation. Here’s his plan
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed a ban on consumable THC products, but still wants more regulations on the industry that has flourished since the legalization of hemp on the state and national level.
The products, like delta-8 and delta-9 gummies, vapes and drinks, can be found on shelves across Texas, including in Tarrant County. The Texas Legislature, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick leading the charge, banned any consumable hemp product that contains a cannabinoid other than CBD and GBG, which do not produce a high.
But Abbott in a statement that accompanied his veto late Sunday, June 22, said the legislation, Senate Bill 3, was well-intentioned but fated to spend years tied up in legal battles.
There are serious concerns on both sides of the debate, he said, echoing remarks to reporters earlier in June.
“But one thing is clear — to ensure the highest level of safety for minors, as well as for adults, who obtain a product more dangerous than what they expected, Texas must strongly regulate hemp, and it must to so immediately,” Abbott said in the veto proclamation.
Abbott outlined the regulations he’d like to see on the THC products and announced a coming special session that starts July 21, offering a glimpse of what could be in store for a new bill.
Here’s what he said.
What does Gov. Greg Abbott support for THC regulation?
The governor offered state lawmakers a list of regulations he’d like to see, noting that the list is not exhaustive.
“But it may provide items to consider in a regulatory system that is strict, fair, and legally sustainable,” Abbott said.
Abbott said the state should set up a regulatory framework that protects public safety, aligns with federal law and has a fully funded enforcement structure. He suggested a system similar to the way alcohol is regulated through the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Abbott’s list of potential regulations includes:
- Making it a crime to sell or provide a THC product to minors.
- Barring sales of the products near schools, churches, parks, playgrounds and other areas frequently visited by children.
- Child-resistant, tamper-evident and resealable packaging requirements.
- Prohibiting packaging and marking products towards children.
- Restricting access to stores that sell the products for people under 21, and penalties for stores that don’t comply.
- Products with THC couldn’t contain other psychoactive substances like alcohol, tobacco or Krataom.
- Testing requirements at “every phase of production and manufacturing, including for both plants and derivative consumable products.”
- Permitting and food safety rules for manufacturing and processing facilities.
- TABC regulation, in partnership with other state agencies, and permitting and registration fees to support “robust enforcement and testing.”
- Requiring the display of operator permits and warning/danger signs at stores selling the products.
- Limiting sale hours to 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and barring sales on Sundays.
- Limiting the amount of THC in products and the number of products that can be purchased.
- Surgeon general-style warning labels on packaging, as well as a “clear disclosure of all ingredients, including the THC content, and a scannable barcode or QR code linking to test results.”
- Making it a felony crime to fraudulently create or display “manifests or lab results.”
- Making it a crime to consume the products in public or in vehicles.
- Prosecutor authority to pursue Deceptive Trade Practice Act violations.
- Giving local governments the authority to prohibit or limit sales.
- Excise taxes to fund oversight and enforcement.
- Additional funding for law enforcement to “vigorously enforce restrictions.”
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM.
