The Texas Tribune: Hayden Bettshttps://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/hayden-betts/The latest news by Hayden Betts.enMon, 30 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500Texas capital murder case attempts to severely punish abortion pill use by treating a fetus as a personhttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/texas-abortion-pill-capital-murder-charge-fetal-personhood/A North Texas man charged with capital murder after slipping mifepristone into his girlfriend’s food signals another attempt to rein in abortion pills.By Jessica Shuran Yu and Hayden BettsMon, 30 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/texas-abortion-pill-capital-murder-charge-fetal-personhood/A pharmacist poses with pills of Misoprostol, made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, at a pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on June 19, 2019.A pharmacist poses with pills of Misoprostol, made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, at a pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on June 19, 2019.REUTERS/George FreyIs THC as dangerous as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick makes it out to be?https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-thc-hemp-ban-dangers-benefits/Although Patrick and hemp industry leaders have quarreled over the risks and benefits of THC, cannabis researchers say it can be addictive but doesn’t usually cause widespread psychosis or brain damage.By Hayden Betts and Atirikta KumarFri, 27 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-thc-hemp-ban-dangers-benefits/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a press conference at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Monday.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a press conference at the Texas Captiol in Austin, Texas on Monday 23, June 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas TribuneGov. Greg Abbott orders special legislative session after vetoing 26 billshttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/22/texas-governor-greg-abbott-special-session-veto-bills-thc-ban/Abbott will call lawmakers back to Austin to tackle Senate Bill 3, a proposed ban on THC products that he vetoed, as well as five others from his veto list.By Hayden BettsMon, 23 Jun 2025 01:18:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/22/texas-governor-greg-abbott-special-session-veto-bills-thc-ban/Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol on June 11, 2025. Abbott called a special legislative session early Monday after he vetoed 25 bills on Sunday.Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 2308, the Ibogaine Treatment Research law, at the Capitol in Austin on June 11, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas TribuneSome Texans fear a looming THC ban could return them to opioids, illegal optionshttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/texas-thc-hemp-medical-marijuana-ban-veterans-pain/Texas hemp users stockpile products and consider moving out of state as ban looms, saying the medical marijuana program is currently an untenable alternative.By Hayden Betts and Stephen SimpsonTue, 17 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/texas-thc-hemp-medical-marijuana-ban-veterans-pain/Wesley Barnes, 55, at his home in Onalaska, Texas on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Barnes, a Gulf War veteran who has long struggled with pain, tried legal opiates and illegal THC over the years before finding affordable and effective relief in legal hemp flower beginning in 2018.Wesley Barnes, 55, stands for a portrait at his home in Onalaska, Texas on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Barnes, a Gulf War veteran who has long struggled with pain, tried legal opiates and illegal THC over the years before finding affordable and effective relief in legal hemp flower beginning in 2018.Ishika Samant for The Texas Tribune