In a move that has sent shockwaves through both political and agricultural communities, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed House Bill 4132 — a controversial piece of legislation that aimed to implement a near-total ban on hemp-derived products, including popular items like CBD oils, Delta-8 THC gummies, and hemp-infused wellness supplements. The decision came late Sunday evening and was accompanied by a strongly worded veto letter addressed to legislative leaders.
“This bill went too far,” Abbott wrote, standing at a podium flanked by hemp farmers, veterans, and medical patients during a press conference at the State Capitol. “It would have strangled a burgeoning industry, hurt rural economies, and denied patients access to therapeutic alternatives. Today, common sense wins.”
The proposed ban had been fast-tracked by several conservative lawmakers concerned about the psychoactive effects of certain hemp derivatives — particularly Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC — which they argued mimic marijuana’s intoxicating effects and posed a public safety risk. The bill passed narrowly in the House but met fierce opposition from advocacy groups, health professionals, and unexpected bipartisan alliances.
Abbott’s veto marks a significant departure from his historically tough-on-drugs image. It also signals a shift in the state’s approach to hemp, which was legalized federally under the 2018 Farm Bill and greenlit in Texas a year later. Since then, Texas’s hemp industry has exploded into a $2.3 billion sector, employing over 30,000 workers, many of them in rural and economically depressed areas.
“I’m grateful,” said Lila McKenzie, a third-generation farmer from Central Texas whose family switched from cotton to hemp in 2020. “This veto saved our livelihood. If this bill passed, we would’ve been forced to shut down within weeks.”
Medical patients also praised the decision. Eric Jansen, a disabled veteran suffering from PTSD, credits legal CBD and Delta-8 products with helping him avoid opioid dependence. “Governor Abbott just told people like me that our wellness matters more than politics. That’s rare. That’s brave.”
While Abbott’s veto was a victory for many, he made it clear that the current legal gray areas around hemp regulation are unsustainable. “This veto is not an invitation to chaos,” he warned. “I am directing both chambers to work with my office to develop a robust, science-based regulatory framework that protects consumers, supports business, and aligns with federal law.”
Some lawmakers have already pledged to revisit the issue in a special summer session, this time focusing on product testing, age restrictions, and clear labeling rather than outright prohibition. Political analysts suggest this pivot could become a model for other conservative states grappling with hemp’s legal ambiguities.
In the wake of the veto, hemp stocks in Texas surged by as much as 18% in early Monday trading, and dozens of shuttered dispensaries announced plans to reopen.
Governor Abbott concluded his statement with a rare tone of optimism:
“Texas was built by people who understood land, liberty, and innovation. The hemp industry embodies all three. Let’s get regulation right — not just politically, but responsibly and intelligently.”
