Hemp owners wait for new Lt. Gov. to fix state rules

Inside Restart CBD + THC in Dallas, owner Shayda Torabi watched the election returns with a mix of relief and caution. The Democratic sweep of major races included the lieutenant governor's seat, where State Rep. Vikki Goodwin defeated incumbent Dan Patrick. Initial precinct counts show Goodwin received 52 percent of the vote while Patrick received 46 percent, ending his tenure in the role he has held since 2014.

The change in leadership could reshape the state's hemp industry, which has faced tightening controls under Patrick's watch. Torabi, whose company received one of the first Texas retail licenses in 2019, said her stores have been directly impacted by new regulations and bans. She estimated that her business was forced to remove about 50 to 60 percent of its products from shelves after recent state actions.

Patrick led efforts in the 2025 legislative session to ban all hemp products containing THC, citing safety and age concerns. Governor Greg Abbott vetoed that bill but ordered the Department of State Health Services to create new rules. Those rules resulted in higher licensing fees, marketing restrictions, and a ban on smokeable products like THCA flower. A subsequent Texas Supreme Court ruling allowed DSHS to reclassify Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC as controlled substances.

Goodwin has outlined a plan to reverse these administrative changes. She stated that the state needs to return to the regulatory baseline prior to the new DSHS rules and then address the issues through legislation. As Lieutenant Governor, Goodwin will preside over the State Senate and play a major role in determining which bills gain traction. During her campaign, she met with hemp store owners and promised to support legislation that would regulate and support the industry.

Torabi expressed hope that Goodwin's position will allow the industry to be seen as legitimate. She noted that the new leadership provides a chance to work with someone in a seat of power who understands the business challenges. However, a federal ban is set to take effect on December 11, which is before Goodwin is sworn in in January. This federal rule will ban hemp products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per package, affecting items such as beverages and gummies that have survived state regulations.

The timeline creates a gap between the federal ban and the start of the Texas legislative session in January. Torabi explained that any new bills passed during the session would not go into effect until September, meaning the industry must navigate the federal restrictions for several months. Goodwin’s office was contacted for more details on her specific plans but had not responded as of this report.