Texas hemp ban, Second Special session, and what happened to sb3

Photo of Texas House Committee on State Affairs public hearing for SB3 on April 7, 2025.. Courtesy of Mindful Compliance.

On Friday August 15, 2025, Texas ended its first special session following an exciting regular session. With a veto on SB3, a hemp ban bill with questionable intentions and origins, Texas Governor Greg Abbott initiated a special session to address multiple items - including hemp regulation. He was clear to state that he does not want a ban, but he does intent on the legislature to put forth regulations that protect children and consumers, putting public health at the forefront.

However, with mid-decade redistricting also on the agenda, the first special session came to a screeching halt nearly a week earlier than intended due to Texas Democrat House Representatives leaving the state in protest. Without their numbers, the House could not reach a quorum to conduct regular business. With the inability to conduct regular business, and now the first special session ended, hemp bills proposed during that special sessions are also null and void.

The hemp issue is not off of the table, though. The same day the first special ended, a second special session was called, with the same agenda items, including hemp.

Hemp industry leaders, industry lobbyists, advocates and opponents, and the legislature itself must start the process again - 30 days to filed, send to committees, conduct public hearings, pass on to the next chamber, and repeat... with advocacy, education, and testimony woven between each step. It is seems like a large feat, it is - but it isn't impossible. As a reader, if you are not already involved, you can join at any part of the process, make an impact, and stay updated, while learning about the process. Issues we care about can appear on a regular session or special session agenda at any time, especially with regular sessions being every two years. This means knowing how the process works can always come in handy when protecting your freedoms and advocating for the issues you care about.

If you'd like to learn more, about this second special session, stay tuned by following our Instagram, LinkedIn, and downloading the database we've created with the current bills filed during this second special session.

For readers in the Houston area, please also join us in our partnership with the Houston Hemp Market by joining our co-hosted Houston Hemp Lobby Group. We provided education, resources, and a sense of community where hemp advocates and leaders come together to help one another.

Follow the Houston Hemp Market on Instagram to stay informed on their other fun community events.