A new poll shows that most Texas voters are not in favor of a full ban on hemp-based THC products. The survey revealed that 53% of voters were against the ban that state lawmakers had passed under SB 3. In contrast, just 31% said they were in favor of it.
The Republican base appeared split on the issue, with 46% in favor of banning the products, while 39% were against it. These opinions were collected in early June, shortly after the legislative session wrapped up but before Governor Greg Abbott vetoed the bill.
The veto immediately sparked backlash from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who had strongly pushed for the ban throughout the legislative process. Patrick, who leads the Texas Senate, also rejected Abbott’s idea to regulate THC products more strictly instead of banning them outright.
With lawmakers now gearing up for what may be a tense extra session, the poll highlighted how divided the public remains on this topic.
Senate Bill 3 aimed to outlaw consumable hemp products containing THC. Since hemp sales were legalized in Texas back in 2019, THC-infused products have become widely available in smoke shops and convenience stores.
After the veto, Patrick expressed strong frustration with Abbott, marking a rare public disagreement between two of the state’s highest-ranking leaders who typically see eye to eye. “This conflict was avoidable,” Patrick said. “Where has he been all this time? He shows up after midnight with reasons we just don’t agree with.”
Patrick warned that a recent court ruling in Arkansas could lead to consequences in Texas. He claimed that as many as 8,000 vape and smoke shops might be forced to close if similar legal decisions are made in the state.
Abbott referenced the Arkansas lawsuit in his veto announcement, saying the Texas bill likely wouldn’t hold up in court and would cause years of legal delays. He wrote on social media that, unlike Arkansas’s version, Texas’s proposal had legal flaws.
“Even with a stronger law in Arkansas, it sat unenforced for two years and is still being fought in court,” Abbott said. “We need action now to protect our children. That effort starts next month.” While Abbott has defended his decision online, he has not directly responded to Patrick’s public criticisms.
The recent poll also showed a shift in how Republican voters feel about cannabis laws. Ten years ago, 31% of GOP voters in Texas said cannabis should stay illegal. That number is now at 21%. At the same time, support among Republicans for legalizing small amounts of cannabis rose from 23% in 2015 to 31% as of April.
As public attitudes shift in Texas and other holdout states still having prohibitionist marijuana policies, the industry and leading firms like Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB) will be watching and hoping that a time will come when adults in those jurisdictions who wish to consume marijuana will have legal sources for the substance.
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