In Texas, hemp and medical marijuana can coexist if done in a responsible manner.
Stephen Simpson is the Texas Tribune
Texas medical marijuana dispensaries went into the legislative session of this year with a dual strategy for expansion: To loosen state rules that have made their program inaccessible by those who are most needy and to eliminate competition from consumable hemp which was allowed to grow unregulated and cannibalize users and profits.
The medical marijuana industry, also known as the Compassionate Use Program, notched victories on both fronts with state lawmakers, but, on the latter, failed to win over the man who has the ultimate say—Gov. Greg Abbott (R).
After the Governor vetoed the bill criminalizing the sale and possession hemp-derived THC in dispensaries, they fear that Texas will not allow them to continue operating if it doesn’t heavily regulate hemp or give medical programs the same freedom.
Nico Richardson is the CEO of Texas Original a Central Texas Medical Marijuana Company. He said, “I was shocked, bordering on disbelief, when I learned about this veto.” “The expansion [to the medical marijuana program] “It was intended to include hemp restrictions.”
On July 21, state lawmakers will be called to Austin for a special session of the legislature to discuss how to regulate hemp now that the ban has been lifted. The leaders of the medical marijuana program are calling on the Legislature to prohibit synthetic delta-8-THC, a key component in the hemp consumable industry. They also want to increase the minimum age for purchasing hemp products. The leaders of the medical marijuana program also ask lawmakers to increase limits on dosages for products containing medical marijuana.
Jervonne singletary, spokesperson of the Austin-based medical marijuana firm goodblend, said: “But this also represents a unique chance to get back to drawing boards, to bring in important stakeholders, and to do it correctly the first time.” Texas can have both medical marijuana, and hemp, as long as it is done in a responsible manner.
Rein in consumable hemp
Abbott insisted that lawmakers consider the regulation of hemp products similar to the alcohol industry. This included a recommendation to bar the sale and marketing to minors. It also recommended testing during the entire production and manufacturing processes.
The medical marijuana lobby also wants regulations that go further, by banning products with synthetic THC (delta-8), which are a major part of hemp-based smokeables. They are cheaper to produce and they have a long shelf life due to the small amounts of hemp. Delta-9 THC is extracted directly from marijuana plants, but it is also more expensive and time-consuming to make because of the need for a skilled grower.
Our products are priced similarly to delta-9 THC. Richardson explained that they couldn’t match the delta-8 products as “we can’t make chemicals ourselves and, frankly, it wouldn’t be responsible for us to,” Richardson added.
Texas Hemp Coalition (the industry’s non-profit advocacy arm) supports regulation on delta-8. Aaron Owens is a hemp farmer who supports a complete ban. He says that it will give the growers more control of the market and not the laboratories.
Synthetics pose the biggest problem. Take them away, and 95% of the hemp industry will disappear because these products aren’t produced by farmers,” Owens said, who is a hemp grower and the founder of Austin’s Tejas Tonic hemp beverage company. “A ban on synthetics would…go back to the old-fashioned hemp-and-cannabis way.”
The hemp industry members said that they were willing to accept most of the rules proposed by Abbott in his veto. The hemp industry would agree to a 21-year-old age limit for purchasing THC containing hemp products, and that the sale of these products should be prohibited within 1000 feet of schools or churches.
Singletary: “I’m convinced that bringing up those hemp standards will make it easier for us to live together.” “I just want to clarify that I am not anti-hemp. But we feel the hemp industry must follow some clear, defined guidelines.”
Richardson stated that the medical marijuana program in Texas is doomed to failure if the hemp industry does not receive heavy regulations. Texas’ medical marijuana program is one of most tightly regulated in the nation. Its products are more expensive and have a smaller reach than THC-derived hemp.
House Bill No. 46, that goes into effect Sept. 1, is designed to ease the reigns of the medical marijuana program. Distributors will be able to store the products in satellite locations instead of having to make daily trips across the State to take the product back the the original dispensary.
The program also permits patients to utilize products such as cannabis patches, prescription inhalers and vaporizing devices.
The bill expands the number of total dispensary operators to 12—one for every public health region in the state and an online option—but allows that number to go up to 15. There are currently three medical marijuana shops, two located primarily in Central Texas, and one that is mainly online. The program now includes chronic pain, Crohn’s and traumatic brain injury as conditions that qualify.
Richardson, however, said that if the hemp-based consumable industry continued to operate as it is, then HB 46 would be rendered obsolete.
He said, “You cannot compete on price with zero regulation. That is unsafe.” He said that if they wanted to use THC for recreational purposes, then they would need the appropriate systems first. They also needed the correct regulations. Right now it isn’t a safe method to sell cannabis recreationally.
Coexistence is the key to peace
Patrick is threatening to push hemp bans again at the special session. However, medical marijuana producers are ready to concentrate on themselves.
Singletary stated that “we are laser focused on expanding.” We are focused on getting the new conditions and formats. Overnight storage is also a priority.
The cost of medical marijuana is one of the most common complaints against this program. Singletary said that the cost of medical marijuana in Texas varies from $4 to $80 depending on THC content.
We do not only follow regulations, but we also grow well-grown produce. It is our responsibility to get the information and test the products. [Department of Public Safety] Review. She said that accurate labeling is important for program peace of mind and good health, but it adds to the cost.
Singletary is confident that expansion will lower costs in the near future, as online dispensaries become more prevalent. However, it may take up to two years.
“At the start of Florida’s Medical Marijuana Program, you would have seen products ranging from $60-$80. “Now you can see that they are down to around $20” since the 2017 expansion, she added.
Richardson stated that if hemp is still present, the Texas medical marijuana program dosage should be adjusted.
The 10 mg cap is available [for products]Recreational has no place. It’s crazy, if that is what you are thinking,” he added.
Singletary, despite the difficulties faced by the industry, said that the regulations are welcomed because the products they produce have intoxicating and psychoactive properties.
A balance of regulations between the hemp and medical marijuana industries will help them coexist—one to meet recreational needs and the other for those who need more guidance and safer products.
“We want reasonable regulations.” “We just want sensible regulations,” she said. “However you frame it, they are both sisters,” said she.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/01/texas-hemp-thc-marijuana-medical-regulations/.
The Texas Tribune’s nonpartisan, member-supported newsroom informs and engages Texans in state politics. Find out more on texastribune.org.
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