Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed dozens of bills into law over the weekend - and vetoed one of the most controversial measures of the session: a proposed statewide ban on consumable THC products.
In a late-night announcement Sunday, Abbott formally rejected a bill that would have outlawed hemp-derived substances like delta-8 and delta-9 - products that are widely sold in Texas as gummies, vapes, and oils. The governor said banning them outright would devastate the state's $8 billion hemp industry and cost tens of thousands of jobs. Instead, he called for tighter regulation and announced a special legislative session for July 21 to address the issue more precisely.
Meanwhile, Abbott signed Senate Bill 10, which will require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public-school classroom across Texas. The law mandates the posters be at least 16-by-20 inches in size and written in a "legible font." Supporters say it restores a sense of tradition and moral grounding. Critics, including legal experts and civil liberties groups, are already preparing lawsuits, calling the move a violation of the First Amendment.
The governor also approved a companion measure allowing voluntary prayer and religious text readings in classrooms during the school day - further stoking debate over the role of religion in public schools.
In total, Abbott signed more than 300 bills from the 89th Texas Legislature, ranging from infrastructure investments to health care reforms. But it's the THC veto and the Ten Commandments law that are likely to dominate headlines - and courtrooms - in the weeks to come.
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