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Legislative

A Political Analysis of DSHS Announcement

February 10, 2026 | Legislative

The continued use of emergency rule renewals, rather than adoption of final rules, is not accidental and it is not merely procedural housekeeping. It reflects a deliberate choice by the agency to avoid locking itself into a permanent regulatory position while legal, political, and policy variable…

Texas Lawmakers Shift Gear on Hemp THC — Regulation, Not a Ban, Now Likely in 2027

February 4, 2026 | Legislative

Texas lawmakers who once pushed for a total ban on hemp-derived THC products are now signaling a shift toward regulating the market instead of outlawing it — setting the stage for major hemp policy changes in the 2027 legislative session. Earlier attempts by state leaders — especially a high-prof…

The Day the Federal Government Finally Stopped Lying About Marijuana

December 12, 2025 | Legislative

For more than fifty years, the federal government has maintained a position about marijuana that almost everyone involved understood to be false. Not unsettled, not ambiguous, but false in the ordinary sense of the word. Since 1970, cannabis has been classified under federal law as a Schedule I c…

Hemp Held Hostage: Washington Shutdown Threatens America’s $30 Billion Industry

November 2, 2025 | Legislative

As Congress stumbles into another government shutdown standoff, the real casualties aren’t just federal employees or political reputations — it’s America’s $30+ billion hemp industry and the millions of workers, farmers, and small business owners who depend on it. At the center of t…

Rand Paul Warns of Looming Federal Hemp Ban Amid THC Debate

September 23, 2025 | Legislative

WASHINGTON, D.C. — September 17, 2025 — U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), one of hemp’s most consistent defenders on Capitol Hill, issued a stark warning this week: unless Congress changes course, language buried in pending federal spending bills could “eradicate the hemp industry” within two weeks….

Governor Gregg Abbott to act on THC

September 10, 2025 | Legislative

Why Now? For years, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has blocked any meaningful regulation of hemp-derived THC, insisting on nothing short of a total ban. His refusal to consider responsible measures like age limits has left minors more exposed, not less. At the same time, prohibitionist voices such as G…

American Weed: The Fight for Legalization and Cannabis Choice

July 15, 2025 | Legislative

You’d think legalizing a plant would mean the fight is over. But for hemp, the real battle is just beginning. You’ve probably heard the buzz about cannabis legalization. The headlines paint a rosy picture: billion-dollar markets, job creation, legal status spreading state by state. On the s…

Will TABC regulate hemp in Texas?

July 1, 2025 | Legislative

With THC slated to be a hot topic at July’s special legislative session, many Texans are asking where hemp regulation in Texas will fall. Heather Fazio, Director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said that while Texans could see an over-arching regulatory entity exclusively for cannabis…

SB3 to be heard in Texas House State Affairs Committee

April 3, 2025 | Legislative

Monday morning at 8am the Texas House State Affairs Committee will begin, and will include SB3 on their agenda for the day along with HB 28. This does not mean that the committee will hear the bill the first thing in the morning. It is possible that other bills may be added and heard first [&hell…

SB 3 on Senate Intent Calendar

March 17, 2025 | Legislative

SB 3 is on the Texas Senate Intent Calendar for tomorrow, meaning it is eligible for debate and a vote, but that doesn’t guarantee it will be taken up. The Senate convenes at 11 a.m., and the agenda is expected to be full, with multiple bills prioritized for consideration. Notably, SB 3 is one of…

Texas Hemp: True Economic Numbers

March 16, 2025 | Legislative

“Who are you going to believe, me or your own lying eyes?” — Groucho Marx, noted comedian and cigar enthusiast This week’s release of the Whitney Economics study on the Texas Hemp Industry should have been an eye-opener—at least for anyone willing to acknowledge reality. The more I review the num…

Top Ten Prohibitionist Lies

March 7, 2025 | Legislative

The March 3 hearing showcased the best anti-THC talking points from the 1970’s, 80’s and beyond. Like a hit parade of bogus tunes, here’s the Top Ten Prohibitionist Lies 1. “Marijuana is a Gateway Drug” • Falsehood: Using marijuana leads people to use harder drugs like heroin or meth. • Reality: …

Illinois – Calls for Sensible Hemp Industry Regulation

December 12, 2024 | Legislative

Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association Calls for Sensible Hemp Industry Regulation Governor Pritzker is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday to address issues in the hemp industry. The Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, comprising retailers, growers, manufacturers, and…

Lt. Governor’s Prohibition Push: History Repeats in Texas Hemp Debate

December 9, 2024 | Legislative

When Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced Senate Bill 3 to ban all forms of THC in Texas, he drew from a familiar political playbook. His declaration that “thousands of stores have opened to sell all types of dangerous products with unlimited THC” echoes rhetoric used to justify …

William Oboyle smelling jar of hemp flower

Keeping The Hemp Industry Strong

October 31, 2024 | CBD News & Business, Legislative

As the 89th Texas Legislative session approaches, William Oboyle, founder of MedaLeaf, said he doesn’t believe lawmakers will move to take the state’s hemp industry backward.

Cannabis Industry Journal