Texas Senate Bill 3 was sent to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk after the Senate approved the House version of the bill in late May.
Governor Abbott has until 11:59 p.m. tomorrow night to sign or veto the bill. As of recent reports, Abbott has given no indication of his position on the legislation.
The bill represents a dramatic reversal from Texas’s previous hemp policies. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who championed the bill as one of his “top five” priorities, aimed to crack down on the state’s booming consumable hemp market that lawmakers inadvertently permitted six years ago.
“Dangerously, retailers exploited the agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and made them easily accessible. These stores not only sold to adults, but they targeted Texas children and exposed them to dangerous levels of THC. Since 2023, thousands of stores selling hazardous THC products have popped up in communities across the state, and many sell products, including beverages, that have three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer. Under Senate Bill 3, these products, and all forms of THC, will be banned in Texas.” — Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (12-4-24)
The potential economic consequences are severe:
The legislation would ban all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), imposing one of the most comprehensive bans on consumable hemp products in the country, including all products containing any measurable amount of THC or other natural and synthetic intoxicating compounds. Under the bill, hemp retailers would only be allowed to sell non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive cannabinoids known as CBD and CBG
Texas’s hemp industry is valued at $8 billion and supports an estimated 50,000 jobs. If the ban becomes law, the entire industry would be dissolved in September 2025 when the ban takes effect and the state risks losing at least $764 million in sales tax revenue.
The hemp industry has become particularly important for farmers, especially smaller operations that rely on hemp as a profitable and sustainable crop.
A group of Texas farmers and hemp business owners are taking proactive legal action in case Gov. Abbott decides not to veto SB3.
“As multi-generational Texas farmers who have abided with state and federal law, invested in our land, and built our livelihoods on the promise of lawful hemp cultivation, we now face economic devastation. Senate Bill 3 would force us to destroy viable crops and strip away our rights overnight without compensation. This lawsuit is about protecting constitutional rights, economic liberty, and the thousands of Texas jobs at stake.” — a representative from Caprock Family Farms in a press release announcing the lawsuit
Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young, Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, and Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.
The bill went through significant changes during the legislative process. Initially, House panels advanced stricter regulations rather than an outright ban, including requirements for child-resistant packaging and age limits restricting sales to those 21 and older. However, the House ultimately gave final approval to the ban version.
The Texas Hemp Business Council and other advocates have actively lobbied Governor Abbott to veto the bill, holding press conferences and gathering petitions. Veterans and advocates from across the political spectrum have also urged a veto.
Several polls indicate that support for the bill is not widespread.
An informal poll from CBS Austin:
Governor Abbott has three options: sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature if he takes no action within 20 days of the session’s end (June 2).
The bill represents a significant policy shift that would essentially eliminate Texas’s legal hemp market, making it one of the most restrictive states regarding hemp-derived products if it becomes law.
In the face of SB3 becoming law, Texas hemp users are stockpiling products and are considering moving out of state, saying the medical marijuana program is currently an untenable alternative. (Texas Tribune)
Reports of shots fired on East 6th Street last night, but no other information has been released.
One person was killed and three others seriously injured last night in a collision on northbound State Highway 130 near the airport.
Early Friday morning, a fatal accident involving a pedestrian occurred in South Austin.
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle last night southeast of the city. They suffered life-threatening injuries.
Austin police have released more information about a fatal accident earlier this week involving a vehicle and pedestrian.
A crash in Mustang Ridge yesterday was the result of street racing.
Williamson County officials celebrated the opening of East Wilco Highway Segment 3 at a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday.
The newest segment, which officially opens to traffic today, is a part of a long-range project connecting SH 130 to north I-35. With a price tag of $80 million, the overall project is one of the most expensive infrastructure initiatives in Williamson County history.
Construction on Segment 3 began in 2022.
Newly obtained documents detail the arrest of Robert Bowers, who allegedly threatened lawmakers before a June 14 Capitol protest.
Robert Bowers happens to share the same name as the gunman in the 2018 mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed eleven people and injured six others.
The two men and the two cases are not related.
A Round Rock man is facing a federal charge for allegedly making threats on the gaming platform Roblox.
A Leander man is being charged with murder for a fentanyl-related death in North Austin in 2024.
This week’s Crime Watch from FOX7 Austin highlights the Johnson City Police Department investigating the attempted abduction of two children. Photos of a person of interest in the case have been released.
Lake Travis ISD’s most recent annual drug testing report indicates an increase in students testing positive for drug use. Notably, district officials reported identifying substances other than just nicotine and marijuana for the first time in several years. (KVUE-TV)
Weeks after being acquired by another Austin tech company, Khoros LLC, a social media and customer engagement software company, is laying off 116 employees.
According to a notice sent to the Texas Workforce Commission, affected employees were informed this week that the layoffs will begin on August 19 and are expected to be completed by August 29. (Austin American-Statesman)
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend upon the Moody Center this weekend for what’s being dubbed the “Super Bowl of Gaming” — one of the largest esports events ever hosted in the United States.
The soon-to-be tallest building in Texas, The Waterline, a 74-story mixed residential and retail space in the Rainey Street district, is nearing completion.
Last night, its crane was lit in red, white and blue.
When completed next year, the tower will top off at 1,022 feet.
The 1975 movie classic “JAWS” is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Here in the ATX, moviegoers can view the film…on the water.
- Guests can watch from inner tubes in the water and experience scuba divers and effects for added suspense
- Tickets starting at $35
- Dates: June 21, July 12, July 26
- Where: Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark (Leander)
WEATHER
Hurricane Erick made landfall in extreme western Oaxaca, just east of Punta Maldonado, with estimated maximum sustained winds near 125 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
Governor Greg Abbott on Friday touted Texas’ economic momentum as the state again surpassed all previous records for total jobs, the number of Texans working, and the size of the Texas labor force based on May employment data. With a gain of 213,300 nonfarm jobs over the last 12 months, Texas continues to outpace the national growth rate.
Meanwhile, the governor signed into law 306 bills yesterday passed during the 89th Legislative Session.
Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals has temporarily stopped the City of San Antonio from providing out-of-state travel assistance for those seeking an abortion. (Texas Public Radio)
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is taking a hawkish stance on possible U.S. involvement in Iran, while other Texans in the nation’s capital are taking a more measured approach. (Texas Standard)
Former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, a four-term Republican congressman from Corpus Christi and local radio host, died this week from a heart attack after struggling with chronic liver disease, according to a close friend who worked on his radio show. He was 63. (Texas Tribune)
A 10-story building in Baytown was demolished early this morning, bringing a close to the longtime staple in the Texas city. ExxonMobil’s Main Office Building was built in 1971.
ExxonMobil reportedly has plans in the works to construct a multi-billion-dollar plant in Calhoun County, southwest of Houston. The company hopes to start construction as early as 2026.
Kroger has announced plans to close 60 stores nationwide over the next 18 months, and there are confirmed closures in Texas. One in McKinney and the other in The Woodlands.
Despite the risks, opposition within his party, and terrible optics, it’s looking like Governor Greg Abbott may cave to Donald Trump and call a special legislative session for a rare mid-decade redistricting session.
Also, Sunday marks the deadline for Governor Greg Abbott to sign bills into law. On the THC ban, will he choose personal freedom – or a nanny state in Texas?
(Episode from June 20, 2025)
San Antonio and the 2025 Legislative Session
(Episode from June 20, 2025)
SPORTS
MLB: W’s for the two Texas teams last night.
Jacob deGrom struck out seven in six strong innings, Corey Seager hit his first home run since May 10 and the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
Mauricio Dubón scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the 10th inning, Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes opened the game with home runs, and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE:
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Texas Longhorns junior forward Madison Booker has earned a roster spot with Team USA ahead of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup tournament, USA Basketball announced Thursday. (Burnt Orange Nation)
Texas Longhorn football players passed footballs, signed autographs and did some coloring books with kids yesterday at St. David’s Children’s Hospital.
Robert Plant, the legendary Led Zeppelin frontman, did indeed live in Austin, Texas for several years. He spent approximately three years living in Austin, which he has described as transformative period in his life.
Plant talked to veteran journalist Dan Rather (a current Austin resident).
