The Texas Senate has voted by an overwhelming majority to pass so-called ‘hemp killing’ legislation, seeing the newly repackaged SB-6 head to the House amid ongoing political turmoil in the state.
In what is now the third attempt by lawmakers to pass this controversial hemp regulation, which would ban ‘any detectable amount of any cannabinoid’ other than CBD and CBG, the Senate fast-tracked voting during a second special session yesterday.
Rebranded as SB-6, though nearly identical to SB-5, the bill passed without public testimony within minutes of the session starting by 22-8.
The legislative push to ban intoxicating hemp products in Texas began during the regular session earlier this year, when lawmakers passed SB-3.
While SB-3 cleared both chambers, Abbott vetoed the bill on June 22, 2025, arguing that a regulatory model, not prohibition, was the appropriate response to concerns about product safety and youth access.
Undeterred, Senator Charles Perry refiled nearly identical legislation as SB-5 during a special session convened in July. Backed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the bill quickly passed the Senate.
READ MORE: Texas Edges Closer to Total THC Ban, Raising Alarms Across US Hemp Sector
However, a mass walkout by House Democrats protesting a GOP-led gerrymandering plan broke quorum in the lower chamber, effectively blocking all legislative activity including SB-5’s progression.
In August, with a second special session underway and House members back in session, Senate Republicans reintroduced the hemp ban under another new bill SB-6.
SB-6 now moves to the Texas House for consideration. Lawmakers have until September 3 to send the bill to the governor if they wish to preserve their ability to override another potential veto.
If that deadline is missed, Abbott would have the final word without risk of legislative reversal, something that hasn’t occurred in Texas since 1979.
Texas has one of the largest hemp industries in the US, and the world, supporting over 50,000 jobs and estimated to be worth between $6-$10bn.
Regardless, the future of this multi-billion-dollar industry now hangs by a thread.
