A sweeping change in Texas’ cannabis law could be coming soon.
The State Senate passed Senate Bill 3 (SB3), which bans the sale of all THC products, including Delta 8 and Delta 9, as previously detailed in a report by The Dallas Express.
The bill passed with a 24-7 vote, a big step toward heavier potential regulations in the state’s booming hemp industry.
“If this ban is passed, it would criminalize both consumers as well as sellers/distributors. Businesses in Texas would have to stop selling these products altogether, which would likely result in a lot of businesses closing up shop altogether,” Ben Michael, an attorney at Michael & Associates, told The Dallas Express.
SB3, authored by State Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), aims to prohibit the sale of any ‘cannabinoid products’ in Texas, except for CBD and CBG-based products. Perry criticized the Lone Star State’s current hemp industry for its lack of regulation.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a vocal supporter of the bill, also made headlines earlier this month by visiting several Austin-area smoke shops that sell Delta 8 and Delta 9 products. Patrick posted a video of his visits to X, where he interviewed store employees about the products they sold and the issue of underage sales, which he described as a growing problem throughout Texas.
Last month, I paid a surprise visit to a lottery store operated by a courier service owned by the sports betting company DraftKings. Within a week, the Texas Lottery Commission suddenly banned all courier services, and the Texas Rangers launched a broad-scope investigation into… pic.twitter.com/llsCn4uhfQ
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) March 19, 2025
“I’ve seen firsthand how these products are sold, often with little to no regulation, and how they’re marketed to both adults and children,” Patrick said in his video. He also raised concerns about the lack of testing and the potential for products exceeding the current 0.3% THC legal threshold that is legally allowed for “hemp-derived” products.
At the same time, Patrick claims that while some stores may be following the law, others are not, now making it necessary for the state to intervene in all hemp sales.
The passage of SB3 has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters argue the bill is crucial for curbing what they see as a public health crisis, particularly for young people. However, the move could also have big economic ramifications.
The cannabis industry in Texas is estimated to be worth around $8 billion annually, with $3.3 billion generated from retail sales alone. Additionally, the industry supports over 50,000 jobs across the state, according to Fox 7. A fiscal analysis of SB3 projected that the state could lose about $13 million in revenue from the general fund next year if the bill is passed.
“This would also likely mean that larger companies based in other states would be limited with where or who they could sell to, leading to potential legal battles. Consumers in Texas could also face fines or charges for buying these products, even if they are for medical purposes, because it seems as though the ban essentially has no exceptions,” Michael added.
Senate Bill 3 now heads to the Texas House, where it will face heavy scrutiny before it can become law. While opposition is expected in the House, advocates of the bill remain hopeful that it can pass.