The governor of Texas won’t say whether he plans to sign or veto a bill to outlaw all consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing any detectable THC that was sent to his desk last week.
Amid intense pushback from the hemp industry, military veterans groups and other stakeholders over the legislation from Sen. Charles Perry (R), Gov. Greg Abbott (R) was asked during an unrelated bill signing ceremony on Tuesday what he intends to do about the cannabis measure.
SB 3 “is one of literally more than a thousand bills on my desk—all of which need my careful consideration and evaluation—and I will give all of those pieces of legislation the consideration and time that they deserve,” Abbott said, while sitting beside one of the measure’s most vocal supporters, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R).
The comments came as hemp advocates and stakeholders delivered more than 100,000 petition signatures asking Abbott to veto the measure. Critics of the bill have said the industry—which employs an estimated 53,000 people—would be decimated if the measure becomes law.
The governor has three options for the proposal: sign it, veto it or allow it to take effect without his signature. The deadline for his decision is June 22.
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