Texas Governor Vetoes THC Ban, Preserving Consumable Product Market
In a significant move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would have restricted the sale of consumable products containing THC. This decision maintains the status quo for a multi-billion dollar industry, impacting access to products that offer similar effects to marijuana for many Texans.
Veto’s Impact
The veto arrived just before the deadline, halting what could have been one of the strictest THC regulations in the nation. This action ensures the continued operation of businesses that sell items like vaporizers and edibles infused with THC.
The rejected legislation aimed to criminalize the possession, manufacture, or sale of THC-containing products. This was the latest attempt by states to manage THC following a 2018 federal law allowing states to regulate hemp, which can be processed to produce THC.
“This bill would have been a significant blow to the industry.”
— Anonymous Industry Expert
Legal loopholes in existing regulations have allowed various THC products to enter the market, even in states with stricter cannabis laws. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of late 2023, nearly 30 states had legalized or decriminalized cannabis in some form (NCSL 2023).
Texas’s Regulatory Landscape
Texas maintains some of the most restrictive cannabis laws in the country, with complete prohibition of recreational use and a limited medical program. The market for consumable products has provided Texans with legal access to substances that mimic the effects of marijuana.
Republican lawmakers voiced concerns regarding these products, citing a lack of federal oversight. Several states, including California, have enacted age restrictions and regulations on the potency of THC in these items.
Political Reactions and Industry Implications
Critics of the bill in Texas note that it permits individuals without access to marijuana through the state’s medical program to obtain products offering similar relief. Many businesses across Texas also highlighted the thousands of jobs and millions in revenue generated annually by this sector.
Last year, Florida‘s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a similar bill that sought to impose age restrictions on THC-infused products, citing potential harm to small businesses.