Cannabis and hemp are hot-button topics in Texas, and Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) showcased just how divided the state is on these issues. The bill would’ve effectively banned all forms of plant-derived Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), including Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. There would’ve been:

• Strict licensing requirements
• Costly fees
• Enhanced product testing
• Felony penalties for non-compliance

Supporters, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, claimed it was necessary to protect children from unregulated intoxicating products. However, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed the bill at the 11th hour, citing constitutional concerns and the unfair impact it would have on the legal hemp industry.

Everything was discussed in a special session scheduled for July 21, as the governor called for a more balanced approach that includes age limits, testing, packaging, and THC caps. This led to bills SB 5, SB 11, and SB 12 passing the senate in response.

At Drops of Life, we obviously have a personal stake in this debate, and we’re glad to see things moving in the right direction. Our CEO and Co-Founder, Jake Garry, also sits on the Executive Board of the Texas Hemp Coalition, an organization that actively lobbies for fair hemp regulation.

We cultivate and use the best:

• Hemp-derived Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• And other non-psychoactive cannabinoids

SB 3 as written would have been disastrous for us while violating the rights granted by the 2018 Farm Bill and Texas House Bill 1325 (which Abbott signed in 2019). And it appears Gov Abbott is still in a stalemate as he indicated intent to veto SB 5.

Abbott’s biggest concern was making sure this is an adult-only industry for adults aged 21 and up. This involves things like child-proof packaging and no cartoons or advertising that appeals to children.

Here are three things the hemp industry wants our legislators to know.

1. Foster a Better Understanding of Cannabinoids

Our understanding of the cannabis sativa plant and the impacts its 100+ cannabinoids have on our body is limited to the past 20 years or so. This is because as of this writing in August 2025, marijuana is classified by the US Department of Justice as a Schedule I drug. This is the worst classification on the scale and means it has no medical use, associating it with heroin and LSD.

That Schedule I classification created huge hurdles for medical and academic research institutions, as they couldn’t legally obtain the drug to study any potential beneficial uses. As recently as the 1990s, most people at best understood that cannabis had THC, which is psychoactive, and CBD, which is not.

It was nowhere near today’s market that contains everything from single-cannabinoid isolates to full spectrum oils. This was made possible by knowledgeable people working tirelessly to differentiate industrial hemp (which contains more CBD-related cannabinoids) from medical marijuana and recreational cannabis (which contain more THC-related cannabinoids).

We support all three industries, as pain relief evidence in medical marijuana programs in nearly every state drove more research into other cannabinoids like CBG and Cannabinol (CBN). And that laid the foundation for discovering the benefits of both CBD isolate and full-spectrum products.

Texas lawmakers should understand each cannabinoid has a different impact on our bodies. And the law needs to allow for professionals making earnest efforts to give people what they want without getting them high. It’s not fair to demonize all cannabinoids because of the impacts of two.

That’s a great transition to the next point:

2. Put Texans First

Marijuana/Hemp/Cannabis laws in Texas are convoluted and confusing. Here are overviews from the Texas Tribune and The Statesman breaking down the tightrope any average citizen is walking. That’s all before even getting started on what licensed professionals deal with at every step of the supply chain.

This isn’t a game to us. Falling out of compliance can easily lead to criminal charges and fines that could derail your future. This tension isn’t the spirit of Texas, where we value freedom, family, and integrity.

Any legislation should be focused on supporting those values. Empower Texans with the data necessary to make informed and intelligent decisions for their own personal needs.

A blanket ban on THC can have unexpected consequences. For example, an outright ban of Delta-8 THC would cause problems for both medical marijuana dispensaries and hemp-based CBD producers. The cannabinoid can be found in low concentrations in various strains of the cannabis sativa plant. It would throw existing testing procedures into chaos and could cause mass loss of crops.

Of course, we don’t have that problem at Drops. All our products are guaranteed non-psychoactive, including broad-spectrum CBD that contains the full range of non-psychoactive cannabinoids. But we do understand that some brands may want to include Delta-8. And as long as there are clear labels (as well as reasonable dosage limits), they should be allowed to provide these solutions to Texans.

Also, banning THC could cause a rise in more dangerous alternatives, like synthetic THC (aka spice), poppers, and fentanyl.

Ultimately, we want to preserve every Texan’s choice to live their life how they see fit. And that means taking mindful steps to foster a high-quality hemp industry.

3. Ensure Quality Products Throughout the Supply Chain

Quality is the most important aspect of any product, and that holds true in hemp-derived CBD. We believe CBD can change lives. And you deserve a supplier who provides the highest quality cannabinoids in edibles, topicals, and more.

Our farmers use time-tested processes to grow world-class plants from seed to harvest. And our hemp undergoes rigorous third-party testing to ensure only the finest ingredients make it into our products. We aren’t opposed to mindful regulation that mandates quality and safety levels similar to any other crop.

Documentation of each product’s specific ingredients, including cannabinoids and terpenes, should be easily available to customers both before and after buying. This is how the industry can work together with the government to build a solid foundation to support the entire community.

We got into the hemp business because we truly believe in the documented benefits of CBD. And we are committed to providing transparent, trustworthy, and high-quality products. We look forward to working with Gov Abbott, Lt Gov Patrick, and any other officials at the state, county, and local level to protect Texans’ right to CBD.