Why Governor Abbott Charging $25,000 for a Petition List Should Concern Every Texan - And What the THC Veto Was Really About
When a governor’s office demands more than $25,000 just to reveal who petitioned him about a controversial veto, something is deeply wrong with the way our democracy is functioning. That’s exactly what happened in Texas after Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would have banned intoxicating THC products statewide. According to reporting, Abbott’s office asked for over $25,000 to release the list of people who appealed to him on the THC issue.
This isn’t just a political story. This is a transparency story. A public‑trust story. A “who gets access to power?” story.
And it matters for every parent, educator, and prevention advocate watching THC products spread across communities and into the hands of kids.
What the THC Veto Was About
In late June, Governor Abbott vetoed a proposed statewide ban on the sale of intoxicating THC‑infused products. These products include Delta‑8 and Delta‑9 consumables — gummies, vapes, drinks — that are widely available in gas stations and smoke shops and often marketed in kid‑friendly packaging.
The veto infuriated Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who had vowed earlier in the year to shut down every THC store in Texas. Patrick accused Abbott of effectively moving toward recreational marijuana legalization by refusing to ban the products outright.
Abbott, however, said he wanted to regulate intoxicating THC products rather than ban them, placing the issue on the agenda for a special legislative session.
Meanwhile, the governor’s office was flooded with public input. One outlet reported that more than 100,000 letters were delivered urging Abbott to veto the ban.
Parents, medical professionals, and prevention advocates were also vocal — many arguing that the veto would worsen youth addiction and mental‑health risks.
Why the $25,000 Price Tag Is a Problem
After the veto, journalists and watchdog groups requested the list of people who petitioned Abbott on the THC issue. Instead of releasing it, the governor’s office demanded more than $25,000 to access the records.
Let’s be clear: Charging $25,000 for public information is not transparency. It’s a barrier. A deterrent. A message.
And the message is: “You can know who influenced this decision — if you can afford it.”
Here’s why that’s a serious problem:
1. It undermines public trust
When elected officials make controversial decisions, the public has a right to know who influenced them. Hiding that information behind a massive paywall erodes confidence in government.
2. It creates a two‑tiered system of access
Wealthy individuals, corporations, and lobbyists can afford $25,000. Ordinary Texans cannot.
This means only the powerful get to see who is shaping policy.
3. It raises questions about political pressure
If the petition list is harmless, why hide it? If it’s not harmless, why should Texans be kept in the dark?
The public deserves to know whether the veto was influenced by:
industry lobbying
coordinated campaigns
out‑of‑state interests
political donors
Transparency shouldn’t be optional.
4. It sets a dangerous precedent
If a governor can charge $25,000 for one public record, what stops future administrations from charging $50,000? $100,000?
Public information becomes accessible only to the wealthy — and that is not how democracy works.
What This Says About the THC Debate in Texas
The THC veto controversy exposed deep divisions:
Industry advocates want regulation, not prohibition.
Lt. Gov. Patrick wants a full ban and accused Abbott of enabling recreational use.
Parents and medical professionals fear rising youth addiction and psychosis linked to high‑potency THC products.
Consumers flooded the governor’s office with pleas to keep THC products legal.
The $25,000 petition‑list fee adds another layer: a lack of transparency in a debate that directly affects public health, youth safety, and community wellbeing.
When THC products are being sold in gas stations, when kids are getting addicted, when emergency rooms are seeing more THC‑related crises — Texans deserve to know who is influencing the laws that shape this landscape.
Why This Matters for Prevention
From a prevention standpoint, the veto — and the secrecy around it — is alarming.
High‑potency THC products are:
widely accessible
poorly regulated
aggressively marketed
increasingly used by teens
linked to psychosis, addiction, and ER visits
Parents and educators need clarity, not confusion. They need transparency, not political games. They need leaders who prioritize youth safety over industry pressure.
When a governor’s office charges $25,000 to reveal who petitioned him, it signals that political interests may be taking precedence over public health.
And that should concern every Texan — regardless of political affiliation.
The Bottom Line
Governor Abbott’s THC veto was controversial on its own. But the decision to charge $25,000 for access to the petition list raises even bigger questions:
Who influenced the veto?
Why hide the list?
Why price the public out of transparency?
What does this mean for future drug‑policy decisions?
Texans deserve answers. Parents deserve honesty. And our kids deserve policies shaped by science, safety, and truth — not by whoever can afford to be heard.
For more information, help, and resources, please visit www.steeredstraight.org or call (856) 691-6676
Our mission is to steer youth straight toward making sound, rational decisions through a learning experience that provides a message of reality to help them make positive, informed choices.
