SB3 Has Passed: What's Next?

Whether you're a hemp enthusiast or you work in the industry, you've probably heard about SB3, a bill set out to pretty much kill the hemp industry in the Lone Star State.

Yesterday, the Texas House aligned with the Texas Senate in banning hemp-derived THC in a 95-44 vote.

So what's going to happen next? Read on to learn more about the fate of hemp in Texas, our continuing fight, and some possible outcomes.

SB3, or Senate Bill 3, is the brainchild of Texas State Senator Charles Perry. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick pushed it as a major priority for the 89th Texas Legislature.

On the surface, it seemed like a ban solely on the possession and sale of "intoxicating" hemp-derived cannabinoids, while still preserving CBD and CBG. Still, with its unrealistic and impractical testing standards, it will essentially ban all hemp-derived cannabinoids from being sold in Texas. This includes Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, HHC, and the like. The ban will apply to all consumable products, from gummies to drinks to vapes.

If you live in Texas, you should know that SB3 will take effect on September 1, 2025. So, until then, you should be able to find hemp-derived THC products at your favorite local shops.

Yesterday, in the Texas House, despite numerous testimonials from U.S. veterans on how Texas' Compassionate Use Program is ineffective and how hemp-derived THC products have improved their quality of life, 55 Texas State Representatives decided to shut the door on their faces and all those who benefit from the products themselves or have a job in the industry.

If you want to see if your representative voted "Yea" or "Nea" for SB3, you can check out the official roll call.

As of this writing, SB3 still needs to go through a third reading, which, at this point, is a formality. And although SB3 passing in the house isn't great news, not all is lost. After all, SB3 is still just a bill until it gets signed into law by the executive branch (Governor Greg Abbott). The Governor can veto the bill, just as Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a hemp-restricting bill in Florida last summer.

If Gov. Abbott were to veto SB3, it would require two-thirds of a vote from the House and Senate lawmakers to override the veto (veto overrides are rare in the Texas Legislature).

Besides that, if you've watched the video above, the Texas Hemp Business Council will file a lawsuit against this ban.

Although we wish we could tell you more, this development is very recent. We will keep you updated as we get more information on SB3 and what actions we will take.

In the meantime, Hometown Hero will continue to serve its customers in the Lone Star State and beyond. We're not going anywhere.