Texas Senate gives first approval to hemp ban bill despite Gov. Greg Abbott vetoing earlier attempt

Here we go again. The Texas Senate on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban all THC-containing hemp products — even though Gov. Greg Abbott recently vetoed a nearly identical proposal and asked lawmakers to prioritize crafting legislation that would regulate the industry instead of shutting it down. Senate Bill 5 — authored by Lubbock Republican Sen. Charles Perry, who also penned the vetoed ban — received 20-9 approval vote, setting it up for a final review by the upper chamber before it goes to the House.