Texas has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country – yet the battle for THC wages on.
Governor Greg Abbott vetoed several bills on Sunday – notably, Senate Bill 3, which would ban consumable hemp products containing THC in Texas. SB 3 was vetoed at the last possible moment, as Gov. Abbott referenced a similar law in Arkansas that has sat in court for two years.
What is the Governor’s goal? He wants to create a law that supports stronger regulations over a complete THC ban. KBTX spoke with a Bryan smoke shop, discussing what the veto means for the business. Co-owner of Elevated Smoke Shop Stephen Gurka was relieved at the governor’s decision, and this victory for businesses selling THC.
“[Gov. Greg Abbott] knew what couldn’t be the answer. They would lose it. So, he vetoed the outright ban, but he will be calling the special session and there will be strict regulations, which is what we’ve been asking for the whole time,” noted Gurka.
This is exciting for people in the THC sales industry who have had to fight for months during the 89th Texas legislative season. But how effective is regulation?
“Regulation actually helps because it makes sure that what’s being sold is actually legal, and people who are buying it are not going to find themselves in the position where they’re going to have to face potential criminal charges because what they bought turns out not to be legal,” Local Criminal Defense Attorney and KBTX Legal Analyst Shane Phelps explained.
Though this was seen as a win for the hemp industry, Senate Bill 3 was enemy number one for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. He pushed back against the governor’s decision on Monday.
“We’re not Colorado, and we’re not Oregon, and we’re not Washington State. We’re Texas, and I will not sign a bill that legalizes marijuana in Texas. I will not gavel it down because that’s what [Governor Greg Abbott is] asking us to do,” announced Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
The special session is set to start July 21st. Gov. Abbott said his goal is to offer a structure for hemp regulation that could go into effect this year.
Information from KBTX.
