On May 27, the Texas Legislature sent Senate Bill 3 (SB3) to Gov. Greg Abbott for signature, marking a potentially seismic shift in the legal landscape for hemp-derived cannabinoid products in the state. If signed into law – or allowed to take effect without a veto – SB3 will impose one of the most comprehensive bans on consumable hemp products in the country, to include all products containing any measurable amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other natural and synthetic intoxicating cannabinoids. The legislation targets a market that has flourished since the passage of the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, creating new compliance, enforcement, and business continuity questions for stakeholders across the supply chain. This article summarizes SB3’s major provisions and provides an example of the impacts the bill will have on manufacturers, retailers, and consumers through the lens of infused beverage products.
