Texas THC Ban Moves Forward, Threatening Local Businesses
A bill banning THC products is now heading to the Texas House after passing in the Senate last week. As the legislation advances, Central Texas business owners are facing tough decisions—whether to rebrand, adapt, or shut down entirely.
Senate Bill 3, championed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, is a direct threat to Texas's booming hemp industry, which generates billions in revenue and supports nearly 50,000 jobs. Dispensary owners fear the impact will be devastating.
"Unfortunately, this bill will absolutely kill our business," one shop owner stated, echoing the concerns of many in the industry. The ban would prohibit all products containing any amount of THC, a stark contrast to the current law allowing up to 0.3% THC.
For small business owners like Callen Salgani, the new regulations could mean closing their doors for good. "There are a lot of mom-and-pop shops like mine that started with small investments and grew over time. We’re not wealthy—we just reinvest what we make."
Christie McGoy, owner of Redbird Dispensary in Temple, entered the industry to help those in need, inspired by a family member who struggled to afford CBD for neuropathy. Now, she feels abandoned by the state.
"We support regulation. We want to keep these products out of the hands of kids. But instead, we’re being pushed toward a total ban."
Industry leaders warn that an outright ban could create unintended consequences, such as driving consumers to the black market. "This will make public safety worse," Salgani argues. "People will turn to unregulated sources, while legal medical marijuana remains accessible only to the wealthy."
Meanwhile, House Bill 28 offers an alternative, focusing on stricter licensing requirements rather than an outright THC ban. Notably, neither bill would affect Texas' Compassionate Use Program, which permits medical marijuana for qualifying patients.
As the debate continues in the Texas legislature, business owners, consumers, and advocates are left wondering what the future holds for the state's hemp and cannabis industries.
