Open Field: Texas Vetoes THCA Ban
In a rare plot twist for the Lone Star State, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would’ve banned THCA and other intoxicating hemp products. On the surface, it looks like a win for smoke shops, hemp farmers, and scrappy entrepreneurs. But don’t light the celebratory pre-roll just yet.
This was not Texas embracing reform. It was Texas stalling.
A Temporary Reprieve
The veto delays—rather than defeats—the inevitable. The state’s been gunning for THCA-rich products for months, and this bill’s failure doesn’t change that. The likely reason? Political timing, vague language, or pressure from industry groups. A cleaner, tougher version of the bill will almost certainly resurface in the next legislative session.
Meanwhile, THCA flower remains technically legal—so long as it stays under 0.3% delta-9 THC pre-decarb. That means:
Shops can still sell it.
Certificates of Analysis (COAs) still count.
But law enforcement can still raid you if they decide your lab test doesn’t meet their unofficial standards.
In other words: the loophole lives on, but so does the crackdown.
Retailers: Get Your House in Order
This pause is a chance to regroup. If you’re in the Texas market:
Audit your COAs and make sure they reflect pre-decarb testing.
Lawyer up and know which counties are friendly—and which will try to make an example out of you.
Link arms with advocacy groups like Texas Hemp Coalition or Hometown Hero. This is now a team sport.
The Ripple Effect: Border States Brace
Texas isn’t an island—it’s a massive, high-demand market surrounded by states with looser laws. The veto sends shockwaves through that ecosystem.
Oklahoma: The Outlaw’s Market
Oklahoma already supplies tons of hemp and semi-regulated cannabis products to Texas. The veto means that flow continues. But OK’s AG is watching, and RICO charges for trafficking aren’t off the table.
Louisiana: Quiet But Vulnerable
Louisiana could’ve followed Texas with its own crackdown. Now? The veto might give it pause—but the will to ban these products is still there. It’s a question of when, not if.
Arkansas & Mississippi: Under the Radar
Not major producers, but still part of the regional patchwork. These states may either quietly support distribution—or crack down to avoid headlines. Expect arbitrary enforcement as politics creep into policing.
What Happens Next
Texas’ veto isn’t the end. It’s just the eye of the storm. Lawmakers will come back harder. Law enforcement will keep raiding. And the industry needs to choose: dig in, organize, and fight—or get swallowed by the next wave of legislation.
As for neighboring states? They’ve got two options:
Feed the Texas market and risk scrutiny.
Shut it down and lose the revenue.
Either way, this is more than a state issue. It’s a regional flashpoint in a national war over hemp.
