‘Dangerous position to put Texans in’ | Hemp supporters rally in Austin amid changing state rules

Texas hemp supporters say they welcome regulation, but fear new state rules could force businesses and products out of the state.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas hemp business owners, advocates and consumers gathered in Austin on Thursday night for the “Save Texas Hemp Rally,” calling on state leaders to protect the industry amid recent changes to the state’s rules surrounding hemp products.

The rally brought together members of the hemp community who say they want more clarity about the rules affecting businesses and consumers.

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Todd Harris, co-owner of The Happy Cactus in Austin, said organizers wanted to educate people about what the industry is facing.

“We just want to bring a bunch of people together, to kind of let them know what’s going on and inform them how hard the state is coming against our industry,” Harris said.

The rally comes after changes took effect at the end of July affecting how the state treats certain hemp-derived THC products, including delta-8 THC, which is now considered a controlled substance.

Harris said he is concerned about the direction of hemp regulation and enforcement in Texas and the uncertainty it has created for businesses and consumers.

“We have a basic idea on which products are legal, but beyond that, it’s just a very dangerous position to put Texans in right now, especially adult Texans that are consuming these products,” Harris said.

Some consumers at the rally said they are also trying to understand the changing landscape and what it could mean for products they use.

“We just want to see what’s going on,” hemp consumer Craig Betherds said. “Who’s filing what lawsuits? What’s changing? Everything was so great. We really are almost clueless as to what’s going on. So we’ve come for some more clarification and see what’s happening.”

Meanwhile, Harris said supporters are not asking the state to leave the hemp industry unregulated. Instead, he said they want regulations aimed at keeping products safe and away from children without forcing businesses out of the Texas market.

“If they keep coming hard on us like this with overextending regulations, like we do want to be regulated,” Harris said. “We want to make sure the products are safe; that no children, you know, get these products in their hands. But if they keep putting the pressure on, it will force out, and has already forced out, a lot of the industry, either to move into other states or into other industries.”

The rally comes as some hemp businesses are also taking their concerns to court.

Several Texas hemp businesses filed a lawsuit this week against the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), accusing the agency of overstepping its authority by restricting certain hemp products and raising annual licensing fees.

The businesses are asking a Travis County judge to block the challenged actions while the case moves forward.