Texas Hemp Industry Rallies at Capitol to Oppose S.B. 3 and H.B. 28

As lawmakers convene in Austin today, hundreds of farmers, small business owners, and advocates are uniting to oppose Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 28—two proposals that threaten to upend the multi-billion-dollar Texas hemp industry. The public hearing, hosted by the Texas House Committee on State Affairs, is drawing urgent testimony from across the state. At the center of the pushback is the Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC), which warns that the proposed legislation would devastate local businesses, cost tens of thousands of jobs, and severely limit consumer access to legal hemp-derived products.

Key Takeaways

• Texas’s hemp industry contributes $5.5 billion annually and supports over 53,000 jobs.
• S.B. 3 and H.B. 28 propose a statewide ban on hemp-derived THC products.
• The proposed restrictions could cost Texas over 40,000 jobs and $7.5 billion in economic losses.
• A majority of Texans, including Republicans, support regulation—not prohibition.
• Industry leaders are calling for age restrictions, safety measures, and packaging reforms—not an outright ban.

A $5.5 Billion Texas Hemp Industry Under Threat

According to a newly released economic report from Whitney Economics, Texas’s hemp sector is booming, with $4.3 billion in retail revenue projected for 2025, up from $3.3 billion in 2023. The broader industry now employs more than 53,000 people and generates $2.1 billion in wages statewide.

But under S.B. 3, which seeks to ban all hemp-derived THC products, the state could see a $7.5 billion hit to the economy and the loss of over 40,000 jobs.

“This is not just a cannabis issue—it’s an economic one,” said Cynthia Cabrera, president of the THBC and chief strategy officer at Hometown Hero. “Texas has built a responsible, regulated hemp market that serves consumers, supports farmers, and generates real tax revenue. An outright ban would roll all of that back.”

Texans Overwhelmingly Favor Regulated Access

Public support strongly favors hemp-derived THC products—as long as they’re regulated for safety. A March 2025 poll by Baselice & Associates found that:

• 68% of likely voters support keeping hemp-derived THC legal with age limits and labeling.
• Only 20% favor a full ban.
• Support is strongest among young adults (76%), but remains majority-held among older voters (55%).
• Republican voters support regulation over prohibition by a 2-to-1 margin (57% to 29%).

These numbers reflect growing public comfort with cannabis alternatives, especially when paired with safety measures like clear labeling and restricted sales to adults.

A Path Forward: Regulation, Not Prohibition

State law already provides oversight through H.B. 1325, passed in 2019, which established licensing, testing, and labeling standards. The THBC supports further strengthening those rules—not dismantling the Texas hemp industry entirely.

Suggested improvements include:

• Restricting sales to adults 21+, with exemptions for veterans
• Child-resistant packaging
• Retail buffer zones around schools for adult-use products

“Texas deserves better than a ban,” Cabrera said. “This isn’t just about business—it’s about the people who rely on safe, legal access and the thousands of Texans whose jobs are on the line.”

How Texans Can Get Involved

Texans who want to make their voices heard can participate in two ways:

• Submit an online comment after the hearing:
  https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c450
• Testify in person or learn more about the process here:
  https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx

Final Thoughts

The outcome of today’s hearing could reshape the future of hemp in Texas. As state lawmakers debate S.B. 3 and H.B. 28, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the farmers, retailers, veterans, and consumers who depend on this thriving industry.

The Texas hemp community is calling not for leniency—but for common-sense regulation. Voters, data, and dollars all point to the same conclusion: Texans want smart oversight, not a ban. Free the plant!