Veteran praises Texas governor’s veto of controversial THC bill

By Michael Lee Simpson

A Gulf War veteran who uses legal hemp products to manage his chronic pain and PTSD has welcomed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's veto of a bill that would have outlawed the products.

In a late-night move on Sunday, the Republican vetoed Senate Bill 3, bringing relief to thousands of Texans who rely on hemp-derived THC products.

Wesley Barnes, 56, a disabled veteran, transitioned from prescription opioids and other addictive medications to using medical marijuana and legal hemp products.

His chronic condition stems from pain caused by a nerve agent exposure during his 1990 deployment before retiring in 1994.

The veto marks a setback for conservative lawmakers seeking tighter restrictions, with Abbott favoring regulation over prohibition.

Industry leaders welcomed the decision, supporting future safety and labeling standards while maintaining current access until the next legislative session in 2027.

"I'm completely relieved," Barnes said.

"I now can continue to spend a couple of hundred dollars a month instead of having the addictive side effects of prescriptions or dealing with a guy on the corner or the anxiety of growing my own.

"None of that's there now."

The bill, backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, aimed to eliminate access to hemp-derived THC products, which many Texans use as a safer alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.

Abbott's veto signals a preference for regulation over prohibition.

Veterans like Barnes have long criticized the state's existing Compassionate Use Program as both inadequate and prohibitively expensive.

Barnes recalled that his initial attempt to access cannabis through the program would have cost around $1,000 for a first prescription — with monthly costs reaching up to $800.

"I couldn't find a dosage that helped," he said. "Full spectrum flower does, and that's what I smoke."

He emphasized that using hemp-derived products allows him to avoid opioids and benzodiazepines, which had previously caused him severe side effects.

"If I'm smoking, my pain comes down sometimes to a two or three, and sometimes I just kind of forget about it," he said.

Barnes says he experiences constant pain, a level 5 or 6 on a scale of 1-10 without medication, but hemp products significantly reduce this.

The veteran also notes lessened symptoms of his PTSD and anxiety.

"If I'm smoking, I no longer am anxious, no longer have panic attacks," he said.

"I'm sitting around 100% of the time, most of the time with my jaws clenched, and my fists clenched, and all my muscles tightened.

"Once I've smoked, I notice I'm not in that state anymore."

The veto marks a significant defeat for conservative lawmakers who have been pushing for tighter restrictions.

Lt. Gov. Patrick had made the ban a legislative priority, citing concerns that the products exploit a loophole in Texas's marijuana laws.

Industry leaders welcomed the decision.

Sarah Johnson, executive director of the Texas Hemp Coalition, described the veto as "a victory for personal freedom and compassionate care" and stated that her group supports efforts to establish standards regarding safety, labeling, and quality.

Abbott's veto statement suggested an openness to legislation that includes age limits, product testing, and labeling requirements — measures that mirror the regulatory direction taken by other conservative-leaning states.

With the next legislative session not scheduled until 2027, the veto ensures the status quo remains, offering a reprieve to users who feared losing access to what they view as essential medical treatment.

Barnes, who had scheduled mental health appointments in anticipation of having to return to pharmaceutical medications, said the decision renewed his hope.

"I hope all the response that was given and pressure that was put on him to veto it extrapolates into, 'Hey, these are the number of voters that want this available,'" he said.

"So I hope it tells them that there should not be a ban in the future."