Hemp Industry and Farmers of America Drop Lawsuit Following Governor Abbott’s Veto of Senate Bill 3

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The suit organized by the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America PAC, announced the  plaintiffs in CBD Pros USA v. Texas, will be dropping their suit. We applaud Governor Greg Abbott for his historic veto of Senate Bill 3. The Governor has shown true leadership by prioritizing Texans’ public safety, constitutional integrity, and practical policymaking over symbolic legislation destined to fail in the courts.

In light of the Governor’s decision, the plaintiffs will be dropping the lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 3. The Governor’s veto addresses the unconstitutional overreach we sought to prevent, and we are committed to working constructively toward a solution that protects Texans and supports lawful businesses.
In the absence of uniform federal guidance, individual states ought to responsibly regulate the hemp industry by balancing consumer safety with consumer expectations of continued broad market access to popular hemp products. This can be achieved through a four-pillar policy approach as demonstrated in other states.

We are ready to work with Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature during the upcoming Special Session to pass a law that:
 

1. Prohibits access to hemp-derived THC products for anyone under 21.
2. Requires strict testing provided by an independent laboratory to ensure accurate identification of product contents.
3. Enforces truth in labeling, empowering consumers to make informed choices and manufacturers to create uniform labels across individual states.
4. Standardizes Packaging: eliminate “look-a-like” products that can potentially confuse adults and may be attractive to children.

These four pillars, combined with robust permitting, clear penalties, and sustainable enforcement funding can make Texas a national leader in hemp safety and regulation.

The hemp industry is committed to working hand-in-hand with policymakers to develop a framework that:

• Aligns with federal law to avoid years of costly litigation.
• Protects public safety today, not years from now.
• Preserves the investments of Texas farmers, veterans, and small businesses who followed the law in good faith.

Governor Abbott’s vision for a regulatory structure modeled on Texas alcohol law provides an excellent starting point. We look forward to partnering with him and legislative leaders to get this right.