The king is surrounded with courtiers, and men who will not tell him that he has made a fool out of himself.
The Texas Tribune: Alejandro Serrano
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was very clear.
The Republican Senate Leader said that he would ban products containing the psychoactive component in marijuana, no matter what. This was weeks before the legislative session of this year began. The multi-billion-dollar hemp market that has sprung up as a result of the loophole created by a new state law in 2019, which legalized similar products to marijuana, was his target.
Patrick justified his conviction by contending that retailers had abused that loophole to sell products with dangerous amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The retailer was accused of preying upon the young in his state with stores located near schools and advertising aimed specifically at them.
„I couldn’t, in good conscience, leave here knowing if we don’t do something about it in the next two years—how many kids get sick?” Patrick stated in March that he was willing to call a special legislature by stopping the Texas Senate from passing legislation.
And ultimately, Patrick got his way—and an explosion of backlash.
Patrick has to deal with conservative activists, media personalities and other politicians outside the Capitol. They are used to marching in lockstep behind a politician who is a favorite of the Right and has been driving Texas further to the right for many years.
Patrick was accused by right-wingers of creating an uncaring state, and offering Mexican cartels the chance to profit from the blackmarket. Patrick has been called a beer lobbyist by those who would benefit from the ban. The hardline conservative lawmaker, who voted to ban the alcohol sales in Texas, said that this was contrary to their „Texas mantra” of being probusiness and profarmer.
Patrick did not reply to comments made by a spokesperson.
Dana Loesch (former spokesperson for the National Rifle Association and host of an nationally syndicated talk radio program) wrote „This is stupid” on social media as a response to Patrick’s argument about the THC ban keeping children away. The argument is similar to the gun-ban debate, with one difference. It’s not as popular with kids (as alcohol, cigarettes and other controlled goods). [sic](and if they’re not, then do your duty as a parent or parent rather than expanding the government in an idiotic way.”
Patrick used his influence to get Senate Bill 3 passed in the two chambers of the Legislature before it was too late. The law bans products containing THC—and would eradicate the state’s $8 billion hemp industry and its estimated 50,000 jobs if it survives Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to veto the bill and face legal challenges.
Abbott hasn’t revealed what he plans to do with the law. His office is inundated by calls for him to veto SB 3. SB 3 could be signed into law by the governor, but he also has three options: veto or sign it.
The ban’s supporters have said it was needed to control a Wild West industry which sells products that contain dangerously high amounts of THC without any oversight. Patrick has argued it would be unrealistic to regulate the industry under tighter guardrails—as hemp business leaders and others proposed—because doing so would require an impossible amount of manpower.
A bill was also approved to extend the state’s medical cannabis program, by adding new products and conditions of eligibility. It is a way to reach out to those who oppose the retail ban and are THC users suffering from chronic diseases.
Patrick stated that the expansion of medical marijuana „will benefit those who are in real need.” He and his allies, however, have continued to support the THC-ban despite opposition by the right.
When the Senate approved SB 3 in the Upper Chamber, Charles Perry, a Lubbock Republican, said, „Retailers throughout Texas exploited a Texas agriculture law to illegally sell tetrahydrocannabinol that is life-threatening to Texans.” These rogue retail stores are selling THC-containing products that contain several times as much THC as marijuana bought from an off-the street drug dealer. It is important that these products do not spread throughout the community, putting Texas’s children at risk.
Criticism on the right has come from veterans who say they use the products as alternatives to opioid painkillers to help with a variety of ails, industry leaders who say the Republican-controlled state is turning its back on small businesses, and conservative politicos who have no shortage of arrows they have been aiming at Patrick.
Dan, can you name one? „Can you give an example?” Kenny Webster is a conservative Houston talk radio host. He posted to social media. „Just one. Go ahead.”
Patrick held a press conference in response to criticism of his ban even after the bill had passed both chambers. It was now on Abbott’s desk. Patrick, flanked by law enforcement and senators, stood before a display of THC-based products on a desk and made his argument.
The lieutenant-governor said he wished to encourage journalists to report on the dangers THC. He also said he had „total confidence in the governor.… I’m not worried about the governor understanding it. It’s you who I worry about.”
Patrick once threw a bag full of edibles in the direction of a reporter. A reporter asked him if it was „crazy’ to ask about the plan to limit adult access.
Rolando Garca, member of the State Republican Executive Committee, who criticizes GOP members for perceived infractions of conservative conservatism, said: „If he were trying to make a point for a THC prohibition, I cannot think of a bizarre and counterproductive show than yesterday’s Press Conference.” We have a king who is mad, surrounded by yes-men and courtiers afraid to say he has made a fool out of himself.
Patrick’s opponents have promised retribution. Patrick has been running for office in 2026, backed by Donald Trump. His campaign fund is more than $33 millions. Those factors—and Patrick’s long history of promoting policies that most primary voters see as higher priorities than preserving THC access—mean it is unlikely the blowback will cost Patrick much, according to political observers.
Jim Henson is the director of Texas Politics Project at University of Texas at Austin. He said that it was difficult to believe this would be a source of a fundamental political threat. It’s not common to see Dan Patrick being criticized by his own members, so this is a bit of a surprise.
Morgan Eakin was another SREC-member who, in social media, questioned Patrick’s conservatism by noting that he had been criticized over his support for gun rights.
Patrick initially said that the Senate lacked the necessary votes to pass a measure in which the Legislature would allow most Texans to carry a gun without a permit or any training.
The bill was eventually passed by lawmakers. Republicans often refer to it as „constitutional carry” because they believe that Americans have a constitutional right to bring heat with them without the involvement of the government.
It is important to consider how people could have been led to believe that Dan Patrick and the Senate were always more aligned with fundamental constitutional principles. [former House Speaker Dade Phelan] Eakin wrote, „The House of Representatives was unambiguously liberal.”
Phelan wrote on Monday that „Texans don’t want a complete ban” on SB 3. He was a Beaumont Republican, who had a falling out with Patrick when he served as Speaker.
„They do want a reasonable, regulated hemp market free of dangerous products—especially those advertised and sold to minors,” wrote Phelan, who ultimately voted for SB 3 but earlier opposed an amendment that changed it from a regulatory bill to a full-on ban. The gas station trash must be removed while Texans continue to enjoy the freedoms they have come to expect under conservative government.
Patrick, despite all the negative publicity he has received, remains an advocate of conservative policy and a major player in GOP wins. In just this session, the state legislature passed stricter bail laws and required most sheriffs to work with federal immigration officials. They also approved measures that allowed prayer time in schools and mandated classrooms display of the Ten Commandments.
Patrick rarely gets much criticism from within his own party. After two mass shootings, one notable incident was related to firearms.
To stop an „invasion”, a gunman went to Walmart in El Paso and opened fire. The result was the death of 23 Hispanics and 22 other injuries. A gunman went on a killing spree in Midland and Odessa shortly after the attack. He killed eight people.
Patrick said that it is time for the state to require background checks when strangers sell guns.
He said that „someone from the Republican Party must take the lead” on the issue, and added that he would „take an arrow” to support the position.
Once again, the backlash was quick. The conservative nature of his views was questioned and many on the right portrayed him as a greater threat to gun rights than Beto O’Rourke who said in a famous presidential debate that same year: „Hell yeah, we’re going to steal your AR-15.”
Patrick was able to withstand the opposition. Legislators never passed the bill he requested to regulate stranger-to-stranger private gun sales. After allowing the permitless carry of firearms in 2021, legislators have expanded gun access, with many victories.
Patrick’s failure to face any negative consequences from his efforts to regulate gun sales could be an indicator of how SB 3 may play out. Patrick was reelected with ease in November after receiving 77 per cent of GOP primaries votes for 2022.
Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin is a supporter of The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organisation that receives funding from corporate sponsors, members and foundations. The journalism of the Tribune is not affected by financial supporters. Here is a full list.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/10/dan-patrick-texas-thc-ban-republican-gop-backlash/.
The Texas Tribune, a nonpartisan newsroom supported by its members, informs and engages Texans about state politics and policies. Find out more on texastribune.org.
Texas Governor Is Refusing To State Whether Or Not He Will Sign The Bill That Bans Hemp Amidst Intense Resistance
Brendan Cleak is the photographer.