Published: March 21, 2025
By: Galaxy Groves Editorial Team
The Texas Senate just passed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) — a sweeping new law that, if enacted, would ban all consumable hemp products containing any amount of THC, including THCA flower, edibles, vapes, and beverages. This move represents one of the most aggressive crackdowns on hemp in the U.S., with serious implications for Texas retailers, consumers, and the broader hemp industry.
At Galaxy Groves, we believe it’s critical to unpack what this bill means for our community and what might happen next.
🔍 What Just Happened?
On March 19, 2025, the Texas Senate passed SB 3 with a 24–7 vote, fast-tracking legislation that would completely ban hemp-derived THC products, including those compliant under the federal 0.3% THC threshold.
This bill is spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has made it one of his “Top 5” legislative priorities in nearly two decades in office. Patrick labeled THC products as "poison" and argued that banning them is necessary to protect public health, particularly children and teens.
Patrick didn’t hold back:
“We’re going to ban your stores before we leave here, for good.”
💼 What Products Are at Risk?
If SB 3 becomes law, it would outlaw all consumable hemp products with detectable THC, including:
- THCA flower
- Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC gummies
- Hemp-based THC beverages
- Vape cartridges and tinctures
This would affect over 8,000 licensed businesses across Texas and jeopardize an estimated 50,000 jobs in the state’s booming hemp economy.
⚖️ What’s the Other Side Saying?
The Texas Hemp Business Council, along with retailers and advocates, argue that the bill confuses compliant hemp products with unregulated black-market marijuana. They’re pushing for reasonable regulation, not a ban. That includes:
- Setting a 21+ age restriction
- Requiring tamper-evident packaging
- Banning sales near schools
- Implementing rigorous product testing
“Bans don’t work,” said Mark Bordas, Executive Director of the Council. “All it’s going to do is encourage the bad actors to fill the vacuum.”
🧠 What About Medical Use?
Interestingly, SB 3's supporters say they want to expand Texas’ Compassionate Use Program (CUP) — the state’s highly restricted medical marijuana system — as a substitute for over-the-counter THC products.
However, critics point out that the CUP:
- Is limited to just a few licensed dispensaries
- Requires doctor prescriptions
- Often lacks accessibility for rural or low-income Texans
Retail hemp-based THC products have become a more affordable, accessible alternative for many — including veterans and patients who use THC to manage pain, PTSD, and chronic conditions.
🏛️ What's Next?
The Texas House still needs to weigh in. A competing bill, House Bill 28, favors regulation and oversight rather than prohibition. If the House passes a softer version, lawmakers will need to reconcile the differences before anything becomes law.
Lt. Gov. Patrick says he’s already spoken with the House Speaker and Gov. Abbott, signaling strong momentum toward some form of major hemp crackdown.
🌱 What This Means for Galaxy Groves and the Industry
At Galaxy Groves, we’ve seen firsthand how hemp-derived cannabinoids like THCA and Delta-9 can change lives — safely and legally. We also believe in protecting consumers and minors through smart regulation, not blanket bans.
A full ban on THC products would:
- Erase years of small business growth
- Send jobs and innovation out of Texas
- Push consumers toward black-market alternatives with no quality control
We urge our customers and community to stay informed, support pro-consumer legislation, and make your voice heard as this debate continues in the Texas House.
🗣️ Get Involved
Want to protect access to safe, legal hemp products in Texas? Here’s how:
- Contact your local state representative
- Join organizations like the Texas Hemp Business Council
- Share this blog and raise awareness
The fight for hemp isn’t over — but it’s entering a critical stage.
Follow Galaxy Groves for updates as this story develops. We’ll continue to keep our community informed and advocate for common-sense cannabis laws.
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