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VICTORIA, Texas — Senate Bill 3, which targets hemp-derived THC products, has officially passed the Texas Senate and now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. If signed into law, the bill could lead to the removal of hemp products from thousands of store shelves by September and cost tens of thousands of Texans their jobs.
Supporters of the bill, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, say the legislation is needed to protect families from what they call dangerous substances. Patrick went so far as to say these products “will kill your kids.”
But the hemp industry sees it differently.
“This is an unpopular move by Lt. Dan. Nobody asked for this and nobody wants it,” said Cynthia Cabrera, president of the Texas Hemp Business Council. “Every industry has bad actors, but we don’t shut down entire sectors. We deal with those bad players directly.”
Hemp shop owners and agriculture advocates argue the Senate lacks a full understanding of how these products work, or the scope of the economic fallout. More than 50,000 jobs could be at risk, and critics say the bill’s authors have failed to consider the ripple effects on both urban and rural communities.
“To continue the disconnect, you have the agriculture commissioner saying this won’t impact farmers,” said Cabrera. “That shows a lack of connection to the industry. This affects all of us.”
Many Texas farmers pivoted from traditional crops like cotton and corn to hemp after the state promised support for what was billed as the future of Texas agriculture. Devon Sharp, who started farming hemp in Victoria and now operates in San Antonio, said the sudden shift in political tone feels like betrayal.
“We trusted the government, and now all our hard work feels wasted,” Sharp said. “And it’s not just about the money—it’s the time, labor, and belief we had in this opportunity.”
He added, “The state told us Texas would be the greatest hemp-producing state in the nation.”
Critics also push back on the notion that hemp products are unregulated. Retailers say they follow strict guidelines, testing products for purity and safety.
One shop manager, Degollado, warned that banning legal hemp products could have unintended consequences.
“If this law goes into effect, it’s not going to stop people from looking for relief,” she said. “It’s just going to push them to the black market, where products are unsafe and untested.”
As businesses wait for Abbott’s decision, the future of hemp in Texas remains uncertain. What is clear is that the stakes are high—for farmers, small business owners, and the communities that depend on them.
Gov. Abbott has not yet announced whether he will sign or veto the bill.
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”}]] VICTORIA, Texas — Senate Bill 3, which targets hemp-derived THC products, has officially passed the Texas Senate and now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. If signed into law, the Read More
