Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick makes accusations about the safety of THC-containing hemp products during a video he posted earlier this year.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick makes accusations about the safety of THC-containing hemp products during a video he posted earlier this year. Credit: Screen Capture: X / Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is back in THC meltdown mode.

After Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this week issued an executive order imposing age limits and other regulations on the state’s $8 billion hemp industry, the lieutenant governor fired off a statement Friday accusing his sometimes-ally of “legitimizing” a dirty business.

“The Governor’s executive order, intentionally or not, has sent a signal to the THC industry that they have a state seal of approval on the current THC market,” said Patrick, who fought during the state’s recent legislative sessions for an outright ban on all hemp products containing THC.

Patrick added that he has no personal beef with Abbott, a fellow Republican with whom he has largely worked in lockstep on other legislative issues. Even so, the lieutenant governor suggested this week’s executive order is tantamount to legalizing pot in the Lone Star State.

“The governor has stated he does not want to legalize marijuana in Texas, but testimony from law enforcement and others say that is exactly what will happen,” Patrick said.

And, in keeping with Patrick’s previous anti-THC screeds, he poured on the wild hyperbole in Friday’s statement.

While the lieutenant governor stopped short of accusing the hemp industry of being in league with terrorists or destroying the state’s ability to attract new businesses, as he did during a June news conference, he still claimed without proof that the business is deliberately peddling dope to kids.

“These are the same people who have been selling dangerous THC products to kids and teens for the last four years in thousands of locations across Texas,” Patrick continued. “They will continue to do so under this executive order without a ban. They are the ones who purposefully built their stores close to schools to target our kids. They have always claimed only to sell to people age 21 and up, but we know that is a lie.”

Sounds like it’s nap time for grandpa.

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This article appears in Sep 3-17, 2025.

Sanford Nowlin is editor-in-chief of the San Antonio Current. He holds degrees from Trinity University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, and his work has been featured in Salon, Alternet, Creative...