SB3 vetoed: Valley THC business reacts

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Some business leaders and hemp farmers in the hemp industry are calling the governor's veto on Senate Bill 3 a small victory.

In downtown Mercedes, the people at Illuminated Distillates celebrated a win. The shop sells hemp products with THC. On Monday, those products are still rolling out the door.

Illuminated Distillates manager Will Downs said for months, he and other Valley leaders in the hemp industry collected signatures to change Governor Greg Abbott's mind.

Downs said he thinks it worked.

"It is a small victory," said Downs. "I did not expect it."

Downs joined the hemp industry a few years ago. He says he is glad to know Governor Abbott vetoed a bill that created an offense for anyone manufacturing, distributing, or possessing consumable hemp products with THC.

Illuminated Distillates is a family-owned and operated business.

"We had to show Governor Abbott that there was another voice to be heard," said Downs. "Not just Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's voice, whose statements were infuriating. He said we are trying to kill kids. It is preposterous."

It wasn't until Sunday night, when Governor Abbott vetoed SB3, that Downs was ready to leave the flower business for foreign snacks.  Several snacks are set up in the shop on Monday morning from places like Japan and Canada, in case of a THC ban.

Meanwhile, Downs said he knows the future of the hemp industry in Texas is challenging.

Downs said all of his product is registered and regulated by the state. He added that every single person gets IDed when they come to the shop.

"We know there are going to be some challenges coming," said Downs. "Ever since I got into this industry, it has always been in pending doom for the future, and yet we keep chugging along, keep growing, ... I wouldn't trade it for the world. "