MRT 6/23/25 (free): Abbott Vetoes SB 3 (THC Ban) // Abbott: Special Session to Begin July 21 // Tesla Launches Robotaxis in ATX // RIP Blake Farenthold // Ogg for US Atty?

MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak 

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MONDAY | 6/23/2025

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• TOP NEWS

“Texas governor vetoes bill that would ban all THC products,” AP's Nadia Lathan – “Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill Sunday to ban all THC consumables, allowing the booming market flush with THC-infused vapes, gummies and other products to continue to be sold across the state.

Abbott, a Republican, waited until the final moment to veto the bill in what would have been one of the most restrictive THC bans in the country and a significant blow to the state’s billion-dollar industry.

The law would have made it a misdemeanor to own, manufacture or sell consumable THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, products and was the latest push by states to regulate THC after a 2018 federal law allowed states to regulate hemp, a similar plant to marijuana that can be synthetically processed to produce THC, the compound giving marijuana its psychoactive properties.

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Loopholes in existing law have allowed many THC-infused goods to enter the market across the country, including states with strict marijuana laws.

Texas has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country, prohibiting all recreational use and providing a limited medical marijuana program. The consumables market has allowed residents to legally access goods giving a similar high to marijuana.

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Republican lawmakers have criticized the products as dangerous due to a lack of federal oversight in how the goods are manufactured. Texas’ ban is one of the more far-reaching among states that have taken similar steps. Several states, including California, have imposed age limits and restrictions on the potency of THC products.

Critics of the Texas bill say it allows people who cannot access marijuana through the state’s medical marijuana program to acquire goods that can provide a similar relief. Many retailers across the state also pointed to the thousands of jobs and millions in revenue the industry brings each year.

Last year, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have put age restrictions on THC consumables, claiming it would hurt small businesses." AP

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• TOP NEWS

“Austin’s airport knows it’s overwhelmed. What’s it doing to fix it?” SAEN ($)

• #TXLEGE

“Gov. Greg Abbott orders special legislative session after vetoing 26 bills” Texas Tribune

“Gov. Greg Abbott signs $20B plan to fix Texas' water shortages. Here's what that means for voters” Hou Chron ($)

• TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

“Former Harris County DA Kim Ogg calls herself 'bad Democrat' in quest for job in Trump administration” Hou Chron ($)

• 2026

“At fiery Fort Worth rally, Bernie Sanders galvanizes crowd with anti-Trump message” DMN ($)

• TEXANS IN DC

“Former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi dies at 63” Texas Tribune

• BUSINESS NEWS

“Tesla robotaxis begin rolling in Austin, but only for a select few” AAS ($)

• NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

> HOU CHRON: "Texas politicians react to Trump's decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities" HOU CHRON

> KXAN: "Texas THC-ban remains unsigned on Gov. Abbott’s desk hours before veto deadline" KXAN

> AAS: "Abbott vetoes THC ban, but calls special session to revisit the issue" AAS

> KXAN: "Gov. Abbott vetoes THC ban, calls upcoming special legislative session" KXAN

> SA REPORT: "Amid Trump immigration crackdown, Texas reins in border spending and shifts focus to deportations" SA REPORT

> HOU CHRON: "Some Harris County Democrats want to oust Whitmire from party" HOU CHRON

> FWST: "Hancock’s resignation was a surprise to Tarrant GOP, party chair says" FWST

> THE TEXAN: "Gov. Abbott Issues Last-Minute Veto of Texas’ THC Ban" THE TEXAN

> EP TIMES: "DHS places new limitations on congressional oversight, as concern grows over ICE facilities" EP TIMES

> TX TRIB: "Rural Americans more likely to live with chronic pain than urban peers, UT-Arlington study finds" TX TRIB

> HOU CHRON: "Houston police hand out 170 citations in 288, South Loop traffic crackdown" HOU CHRON

> SAEN: "After deadly flooding, San Antonio should focus on infrastructure and education" SAEN

> KXAN: "Parents charged with murder in death of infant found in dresser drawer" KXAN

> SA REPORT: "How individualized student instruction helped Somerset ISD exceed pre-COVID performance levels" SA REPORT

• EXTRA POINTS

Recent Texas sports schedule:
Sun
> MLB: Pittsburgh 8, Texas 3
> WNBA: Washington 91, Dallas 88
> MLB: Houston 8, Los Angeles 7

Today's Texas sports schedule:
> 5:35pm: MLB: Texas at Pittsburgh

Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 5:35pm: MLB: Texas at Pittsburgh
> 7pm: WNBA: Atlanta at Dallas
> 7:10pm: MLB: Philadelphia at Houston

HOUSTON ROCKETS: “Does Kevin Durant make Rockets a legit NBA title contender? Betting odds, Kendrick Perkins think so" Hou Chron ($)

HOUSTON ASTROS: “Houston Astros may pursue left-handed bat at trade deadline, GM Dana Brown says" Hou Chron ($)

TEXAS RANGERS: "Rangers’ Jack Leiter still hunting for answers as worrisome trend continues in Pittsburgh" DMN ($)

DALLAS MAVERICKS: "5 things the Mavericks need to get back to the NBA Finals: Health, Cooper Flagg and more" DMN ($)

TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL: "Texas A&M football: 3 true freshmen who could contribute on Day 1" AAS ($)