In a move that threatens thousands of jobs and upends the hemp industry in the Lonestar State, Texas House passes Senate Bill 3, a sweeping prohibition targeting thc/" class="su-auto-link" title="Learn about delta-8 THC">delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and other hemp-derived intoxicants. While the bill’s supporters claim it closes legal loopholes, critics argue it strips away therapeutic access for veterans and small-business opportunity for Texans—replacing regulation with criminalization.
Key Takeaways
- Texas lawmakers passed S.B. 3, banning intoxicating hemp products like delta-8 and delta-10 THC.
- The bill replaces regulatory proposals with felony-level penalties for manufacturing or selling THC-based hemp products.
- The ban is expected to impact 6,000+ businesses and roughly 50,000 jobs in the state’s $8 billion hemp industry.
- Veteran advocates warn the bill removes access to THC-based relief many use for PTSD and chronic pain.
- Industry leaders expect legal challenges if Governor Greg Abbott signs the bill into law.
“We Are Banning High”: Texas House Passes Senate Bill 3
S.B. 3, which now awaits final concurrence in the Texas Senate, goes beyond delta-8. It criminalizes the production, sale, and possession of any consumable hemp product containing intoxicating cannabinoids—regardless of form factor or concentration.
The law still allows for non-intoxicating compounds like CBD and CBG, but removes any legal pathway for hemp-derived products that “get you high.” During debate, Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, made the bill’s intent crystal clear, “We are not banning hemp. We are banning high.”
Under the legislation, violators could face third-degree felony charges, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. That’s significantly harsher than penalties for small amounts of cannabis itself under current Texas law.
A Blow to Small Businesses and the Hemp Economy
Texas’s hemp sector has ballooned since 2019, when the state legalized hemp in line with the federal Farm Bill. The industry now supports an estimated 6,000 businesses and employs over 50,000 Texans across manufacturing, retail, distribution, and delivery.
Rather than regulate and license intoxicating hemp products, Texas Senate Bill 3 chooses total prohibition. Critics like Thomas Winstanley, EVP of Edibles.com, say the bill doesn’t eliminate risk—it magnifies it.
With no regulatory framework offered as an alternative, Texas business owners are bracing for job losses, store closures, and possible legal battles.
Veteran Voices Left Behind
The most emotional debate came from lawmakers representing Texas veterans, many of whom have relied on hemp-derived THC products to manage PTSD, anxiety, pain, and other combat-related conditions.
Rep. Josey Garcia, a U.S. Air Force veteran and the first active-duty woman veteran to serve in the Texas House, called the bill “a bait-and-switch,” accusing lawmakers of performative patriotism while criminalizing products that offer real relief.
“Out of hundreds of emails I received, only one veteran asked us to ban THC—and we all got that letter today,” she said. “Stop claiming to support veterans while stripping away the very thing they use to quiet the nightmares.”
Opponents also pointed out that Texas’s existing medical cannabis program is one of the most restrictive in the country, offering little alternative access for those now losing access to over-the-counter hemp relief.
Lawmakers Chose Prohibition Over Regulation
An earlier version of the bill would have created strict testing and labeling requirements for THC-based hemp products. That approach was scrapped in favor of Oliverson’s amendment, which offered no path forward—just a hard stop.
Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, called the bill a return to outdated thinking.
“It is 2025, and we’re still rehashing parts of Reefer Madness from the ’50s and ’60s. We thought we had grown, gotten smarter. But here we are again—going backward.”
Supporters of the ban claim their intent was never to allow intoxicants in hemp-derived products, pointing to the original 2019 bill that legalized hemp production. But for five years, Texans have been able to legally access THC through regulated hemp products, and many relied on that access.
Conclusion
With the Texas House passing Senate Bill 3, the state edges closer to full prohibition of hemp-derived THC products. The bill’s supporters claim it protects public health, but opponents warn it will shutter businesses, leave thousands unemployed, and cut off therapeutic options for Texans who’ve relied on hemp for relief. All eyes now turn to the Senate—and ultimately, the governor.
This article is based on publicly available legislative records, court filings, industry reports, and published research as of the publication date. Cannabis laws and regulations change frequently — verify current rules with your state’s regulatory agency.
