Texas at a Crossroads: The Future of Hemp-Derived THC Hangs in the Balance

Across Texas, hemp-derived THC products, gummies, drinks, and pre-rolls, are now a familiar sight, often sold in stores that outnumber fast food chains. The rise of this booming $4 billion industry stems from the 2018 federal farm bill, which legalized hemp containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. While it was meant to boost agricultural innovation, the law opened the door to a wave of new intoxicants that mimic the effects of marijuana, without the regulatory guardrails of a fully legal cannabis system. Now, Texas lawmakers have passed a sweeping ban on these products, leaving Governor Greg Abbott with the final decision on whether the state becomes the first to implement such a broad prohibition.

“The industry hates us because we came out against all the smoke shops, against all the vapes, against the high, high T.H.C. products,” said Ben Meggs, the chief executive of Bayou City Hemp, as reported by The New York Times.

Supporters of the ban, including Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, argue these products are being marketed to youth and sold with minimal oversight, often in stores located near schools. On the other side, a vocal coalition of industry advocates, veterans, patients, and business owners are calling on Abbott to veto the bill. They argue that the ban would eliminate thousands of jobs and restrict access to hemp products used to manage pain, PTSD, and anxiety, especially critical in a state where recreational cannabis remains illegal.

“This bill is insane,” said State Representative James Talarico “We are now going backwards to the days of prohibition.”

While some Texas officials, including law enforcement, report that enforcement of THC limits has been inconsistent and that some products exceed legal thresholds, many within the hemp industry are asking not for deregulation, but for better regulation. With major investment and expansion plans on pause as they await Abbott’s decision, the outcome could shape not only Texas’s economic future but also the national conversation on how to responsibly handle hemp-derived intoxicants.

Whether or not Texans support recreational cannabis, this debate highlights an urgent need for clarity in how hemp is regulated.