September 5, 2025

Texas Hemp Industry Faces Legislative Setbacks

News Summary

The Texas hemp industry is experiencing significant growth, but recent legislative sessions have stalled progress on consumer safety regulations. Advocates express disappointment after key bills aimed at enhancing safety measures failed to pass. With the industry supporting over 53,000 jobs and $10 billion in economic activity, the Texas Hemp Business Council is calling for stronger regulations to ensure consumer protection and maintain growth. Efforts face challenges from opposing legislative initiatives and public sentiment against potential bans on hemp-derived products.

Texas Hemp Business Council Advocates for Consumer Safety Regulations as Legislative Efforts Stumble

The Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) expressed deep disappointment following the adjournment of the second special session of the 89th Texas Legislature without any new hemp legislation being passed. Despite the setback, the THBC thanked Governor Greg Abbott and other state leaders for rejecting attempts to impose bans on hemp products. The council emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust hemp industry, which currently supports approximately 53,000 jobs and generates around $10 billion in annual economic activity in the state.

Texas has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for hemp through House Bill 1325, which includes stringent THC limits, full-panel testing, and essential requirements for licensing and labeling. The existing regulations also ensure that consumers have access to certificates of analysis for hemp products. However, the THBC highlighted that the failure to pass House Bill 36, which aimed to enhance consumer safety and provide clearer guidelines for the hemp industry, was particularly disappointing for stakeholders.

The council continues to advocate for additional regulations that prioritize consumer safety, including:

Limiting sales of consumable hemp products to individuals aged 21 and older.
Implementing mandatory child-resistant packaging for such products.
Establishing setbacks from schools to protect children from potential exposure.

During both the 88th and 89th legislative sessions, proposed regulations were dismissed by Senate leadership, sparking frustration among proponents of responsible hemp usage. Critics of the proposed regulations accused opponents of attempting to create a manufactured crisis and pushing for outright bans contrary to public sentiment. Recent polling indicates that 61% of Texans oppose such bans, showcasing a significant disconnect between legislative actions and public opinion.

Governor Abbott has voiced support for the responsible regulation of federally legal hemp-derived products. Nonetheless, the failure to strengthen current regulations is a concern, as it could jeopardize public safety while also threatening the livelihoods of many Texans, including farmers, small business owners, and veterans involved in the hemp industry.

The THBC remains committed to working collaboratively with policymakers to ensure consumer protection and to position Texas as a leading state in the hemp market. An earlier legislative attempt, Senate Bill 3 (SB3), which sought to prohibit most forms of THC derived from hemp, faced pushback from various stakeholders. Governor Abbott vetoed SB3, which had initially gained bipartisan support but was viewed as a potential threat to the small businesses operating within the hemp sector.

The veto of SB3 was largely seen as a protective measure for a $5.5 billion industry that not only provides over 50,000 jobs but also contributes approximately $268 million in annual retail tax revenue to the state. Meanwhile, the THBC has criticized the introduction of Senate Bill 5 (SB5), urging lawmakers to heed the growing opposition to such legislative measures. In response to the controversy surrounding SB3, the THBC organized a petition effort that collected more than 150,000 signatures and received 8,000 letters opposing the ban.

To move forward, the council is advocating for House Bill 4242, which aligns with their objectives to impose sensible regulations on hemp products. These measures include establishing age restrictions, requiring child-resistant packaging, and instituting necessary setbacks from educational institutions.

In summary, the Texas Hemp Business Council is committed to advancing consumer safety regulations while ensuring the continued growth and stabilization of Texas’s dynamic hemp industry. The council’s ongoing efforts underscore the need for legislative clarity and responsible governance as the state navigates the complexities of hemp regulation and consumer protection.

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Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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