Gov. Abbott Vetoes Texas THC Ban
The Facts
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) on Sunday, which would have banned all consumable THC products statewide and made possession, manufacture, or sale of such items a misdemeanor offense.
- Abbott argued that SB 3’s “constitutional challenges” would lead it to be “permanently invalidated by the courts” or “delayed for years.” Abbott said that Texas could not afford to pursue such a course of action, as it needed an enforceable law “today, rather than years from now.”
- Instead of prohibition, Abbott suggested creating a regulatory framework similar to that enforced by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for alcohol, one that “protects public safety, aligns with federal law, has a fully funded enforcement structure, and can take effect without delay.”
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The Spin
Narrative A
Abbott’s decision to veto SB 3 was entirely rational. The bill in its current form was effectively unviable, being open to permanent invalidation by the courts or years-long delays due to constitutional obstacles and its non-compliance with federal law. What Texas needs is a swift and enforceable solution; a model based on alcohol’s regulatory structure would achieve that.
Narrative B
The governor’s veto is a betrayal of those Texan families whose loved ones’ lives have been destroyed by drug abuse. Rather than articulating his concerns from the beginning, Abbott chose to remain silent until the very last moment to scupper a bill that would have tackled Texas’ drug crisis and was proudly supported by Republicans, law enforcement, and the medical community.
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