AUSTIN, Texas — With the 89th Texas Legislature now adjourned, all eyes turn to Governor Greg Abbott, who has until June 22 to determine the future of two major cannabis-related bills. The legislative session concluded with a flurry of action, and while lawmakers have left the Capitol, the debate over marijuana policy in Texas is far from over.
At the center of the controversy are House Bill 46, which seeks to expand the state’s limited medical marijuana program, and Senate Bill 3, which proposes a sweeping ban on THC products. These two bills represent competing visions for Texas cannabis policy—one favoring access, the other restriction.
Senate Bill 3, in particular, has drawn national attention due to its aggressive stance. Backed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the bill is framed as a public health measure. “These are bad actors,” Patrick said on May 28. “These are people who want to kill your kids, and they don’t give a damn.” His inflammatory remarks underscore the intensity of the debate.
However, opposition to SB 3 is mounting. A coalition of advocacy groups, veterans, and patients hand-delivered thousands of letters to Governor Abbott’s office this week, urging him to veto the bill.
“SB 3 is deeply flawed,” said Dave Walden, State Commander of the Texas VFW. “It criminalizes veterans. It restricts access to the very tools that help save my life and countless others.”
In contrast, House Bill 46 has been met with cautious optimism by supporters of medical cannabis. The proposed expansion would allow more Texans suffering from chronic conditions to qualify for the program, reflecting shifting public attitudes and growing acceptance of cannabis for therapeutic use—particularly among women, high-income groups, and patients with chronic illnesses.
Both bills were passed in the final stretch of the legislative session, giving Governor Abbott until June 22 to either sign or veto them. His decisions could have a lasting impact on Texas’s cannabis landscape and signal how the state balances law enforcement priorities with medical needs and public sentiment.
Alongside the cannabis debate, other major legislation—such as school vouchers, teacher pay raises, bail reform, and property tax relief—also awaits final approval, making the coming weeks critical for the state’s political future.
