If you woke up this morning feeling like the weight of Texas cannabis uncertainty had lifted (at least for now), you’re not imagining it. Late last night, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed SB3, the bill that had so many of us holding our breath these past few months. It’s a rare kind of plot twist in the world of cannabis legislation here, and it deserves a closer look.
For months, SB3 had loomed like a dark cloud over everyone from dispensary owners to farmers to the everyday Texans who rely on hemp-derived THC products for sleep, stress, discomfort, or just a little end-of-day peace.
But Governor Abbott vetoed the ban just minutes before the deadline, calling out its constitutional weaknesses and warning that a blanket prohibition would have landed Texas in a legal mess with the federal government.
Instead, the Governor is calling lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session next month to hammer out more regulations. Think of alcohol-style rules: no sales to minors, strict testing, local control, and more funding for enforcement. In his words, Texas needs a regulatory framework that protects public safety, aligns with federal law, and can actually hold up in court.
It appears that the immediate threat of a total ban is off the table. But, while the work isn’t done -far from it-, today we’re standing on firmer ground.
Blog Summary:
The Governor’s veto of SB3 shook up the conversation around cannabis in Texas, and it’s opened the door to a new phase. In this blog, we break down:
- Why the veto isn’t the end of the story
- The kinds of changes that could be on the table
- What we are ready to support and what we hope lawmakers will get right
- How you can play a role in shaping smart, fair cannabis policy
- Why now might just be the perfect time to enjoy the products we love
Table of Contents:
- Quick SB3 Recap
- A Win (But Not The End)
- What Could Happen Next
- What Customers Can Do
- A Pause Worth Celebrating
Quick SB3 Recap
For anyone just tuning in: SB3 was the bill that aimed to ban nearly all consumable hemp products containing any form of THC. Delta 8, hemp-derived Delta 9, THCA flower, edibles, vapes, you name it.
Supporters of the bill said it was about protecting kids and cleaning up what they saw as a dangerously under-regulated market. To be honest, SB3 would have wiped out products that thousands of Texans rely on responsibly, but would have made nothing to protect kids.
The bill passed the Legislature one month ago, but ran into the Governor’s veto, with Abbott calling out its constitutional flaws and the risk of pushing Texas into a legal fight with the federal government. Now, instead of a total ban, the focus shifts to regulation. And that’s where we are today.
A Win (But Not The End)
Abbott’s veto gave us a break. That much is true. But if you’re looking at this as the end of the story, you’re missing what’s happening. What we have right now is an open door to the next phase of the debate.
The veto stopped SB3 from becoming law, but it didn’t stop the push for change. What’s coming next isn’t a return to business as usual. The Governor made it clear that he wants more regulation. We’re talking about a full framework that addresses safety, legality, and enforcement in ways Texas hasn’t tackled before. That means that more rules are still being written, and this is the stage where every detail will count.
For us, that means preparing for a wave of new compliance requirements. For you, it means understanding that access to products could change depending on what these new rules look like.
What’s critical right now is perspective. The veto means that lawmakers are getting a second chance to regulate in a way that might hold up in court and align with federal law. While that’s preferable to a blunt ban, it’s also uncharted territory.
What Could Happen Next
With a special session set for late next month, the future of cannabis regulation in Texas is wide open. It’s both an opportunity and a challenge. We know what’s off the table, but what takes its place is still being written, and the range of possible outcomes is broad. What we might see includes:
- Stricter age limits and marketing restrictions: Clear rules about not targeting minors, with real penalties attached.
- Mandatory product testing: Tighter requirements for testing at every stage: cultivation, production, distribution.
- Local authority: Expect proposals that give cities and counties the right to limit or ban sales within their borders.
- Increased enforcement funding: Law enforcement could see new resources for cracking down on illegal operators.
To be clear: we get it. Some of these ideas make sense. No one in this industry wants to sell to kids. That’s never been the intention. The same goes for product testing. We already follow detailed protocols, and if stronger standards help make products safer for the public, we can support that. The key is that these measures need to come from people who understand the industry, not from those looking to stir fear or push cannabis further into the shadows.
It’s not totally certain where lawmakers will draw the line between smart regulation and overreach. The economic impact that helped stop SB3 is still part of this conversation. But a regulation written without input from the people who actually work in and depend on this industry could create barriers that feel like a ban by another name.
What Customers Can Do
If there’s one thing this moment makes clear, it’s that staying engaged matters. The veto didn’t happen in a vacuum. It was the result of people speaking up. Small business owners, veterans, farmers, you, and advocates who made sure their voices were heard. And that can’t stop now.
So, what can you do as we head into the next phase?
- Stay informed: The special session will move fast, and proposals could surface with little warning. Following credible sources will help you separate facts from noise. We will do our best to keep you up-to-date.
- Support responsible businesses: Where you shop matters. Supporting legit dispensaries that already follow strict testing, age verification, and compliance practices helps show lawmakers what responsible access looks like.
- Make your voice heard: If you care about smart regulation over blanket bans, let your representatives know. A quick email or call can make a bigger difference than most people realize.
- Engage locally: If local control becomes part of the new framework, decisions about cannabis access could shift to city councils or county governments. Staying active at that level will be key.
Access to safe, legal cannabis products isn’t something to take for granted. Not in Texas and not anywhere. The next chapter is being written right now, and everyone who cares about this issue has a role to play.
A Pause Worth Celebrating
For now, let’s take a moment to appreciate what this veto means. We get to keep doing what we do best: enjoying the products we love, right here in our city, without the cloud of an immediate ban hanging over us. That’s something worth celebrating.
And speaking of celebrating, if you’re looking for the perfect way to mark the occasion, check out our Snowcapped THCA flower. With the highest THCA content on our shelves right now, it’s a standout pick for anyone who wants to savor the moment with something truly special.
The future of cannabis in Texas is still being written, but today, access is here, and we’re here for you. Swing by our shop or browse our online store to see our full lineup of safe, legal, high-quality products. Let’s keep supporting smart access together.
