Texas Hemp Hearing Delayed, Industry Fights Back

0:00It's April 23rd. This is El Paso News today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. A Travis County judge hit Paul's on a big fight over smokeable hemp in Texas, delaying a key hearing that could decide if products like THCA flower. Stay on shelves. Earlier this month, the judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state's new ban, so sales keep rolling for now. That hearing, first set for April 23rd, got pushed back by agreement of the attorneys to at least April 28th. Texas legalized hemp back in 2019 after the federal farm bill opened the door, but only with super low Delta 9 THC levels. Folks in the industry found workarounds by Delta 8 and THCA, which turns intoxicating only when heated. Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a reform bill and had agencies roll out tough new rules this winter, slapping bands on smokeable stuff and hiking fees on. They set to kick in early April. Industry advocates are fired up, saying these rules crush natural hemp options that help

1:03folks with pain, sleep issues and more while letting synthetic heavy hitters slide. They argue it shafts the good players and drives business underground, especially as more states go full cannabis legal. On top of that, a federal law looms later this year that could wipe out most consumable hemp nationwide and advocates are hustling to stall it or tweak the rules. For now, the temporary order holds the line in Texas, keeping eyes on that delayed hearing and the bigger national pushback.