Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for lawmakers to tackle hemp-derived THC during the current special session will end without resolution, after the state’s top leaders failed to find common ground.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Thursday evening that “after long discussions” with Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), no agreement was possible. In a social media statement, Patrick reiterated his stance that the Texas Senate will not accept anything short of a full ban on THC products, effectively ending negotiations for now.
“I want to thank Gov. Abbott for working to find a resolution, and Speaker Burrows and the House for passing Senate Bill 3 during the regular session,” Patrick wrote. “But my position remains unchanged. The Senate supports a total THC ban.”
Patrick’s announcement ends weeks of speculation about whether a compromise could be reached. Earlier Thursday, some House members suggested reviving state Rep. Charlie Geren’s (R-Fort Worth) proposal to set a minimum age of 21 for THC product purchases. The idea briefly stirred discussion on the House floor, but the Senate’s refusal to budge left the matter settled.
This marks the second consecutive special session where hemp-derived THC has been raised but left unresolved. The issue has become a flashpoint between lawmakers who want to strictly regulate hemp-based cannabinoids and those who believe limited restrictions are more appropriate.
Abbott has remained relatively quiet during the special session, though sources told The Texan earlier this week that his office worked closely with state Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) on House Bill 309, which could have provided a middle ground for negotiation. With Patrick’s announcement and the Legislature moving toward adjourning sine die, however, the path forward appears closed for now.
The stalemate means the current legal framework remains in place. Texans will still be able to purchase cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and hemp-derived delta-8 and delta-9 products, provided they contain less than 0.3 percent THC by weight. Consumable products such as gummies, tinctures, and beverages will also remain available — notably without any age restrictions.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of rising consumer demand for hemp-derived cannabinoids, which have flourished in Texas since the federal government legalized industrial hemp in 2018. Retailers and producers argue that the products provide economic growth and alternatives for consumers, while critics warn of safety risks, especially for minors.
Patrick’s tone Thursday was notably more measured than earlier this year, when he sharply criticized Abbott for vetoing the THC ban contained in Senate Bill 3. At that time, Patrick accused the governor of “wanting to legalize recreational marijuana,” a charge Abbott dismissed as “absurd.”
For now, Texas lawmakers remain in Austin debating other items on the governor’s special session agenda. But on hemp-derived THC, nothing has changed since the 89th regular session began in January: the Senate is demanding a ban, the House is offering age limits, and the governor is keeping his distance. With no deal in sight, Texas’ hemp market continues unchanged.
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