Texas

Texas moves to close cannabis loophole

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2024

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced on Wednesday that a new bill will be introduced to the state legislature banning the sale of “all forms of consumable Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)” anywhere in the state.

Patrick said that retailers in Texas have been selling “life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public” and argued some of these have been targeted at children.

In 2019, Texas legalized the sale and consumption of hemp, a weaker form of cannabis containing a maximum of 0.3 percent THC, bringing the state in line with a federal law passed the previous year. However, marijuana, which has a higher THC content, remains illegal. The legislation produced a large legal hemp industry in Texas, with the product being sold in a range of forms, including vapes, gummies, drinks and creams.

Announcing the new legislation, Senate Bill 3, Patrick said: “In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1325, by Rep. Tracy King, D-Uvalde, to bolster agriculture in Texas. Part of that bill allowed for the commercialization of hemp which might include un-removable non-intoxicating trace amounts of Delta 9 THC.”

However, Patrick argued this legal change was exploited by unscrupulous retailers, some of whom sold products with a THC content several times higher than the marijuana typically sold by drug dealers.

“Dangerously, retailers exploited the agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and made them easily accessible. These stores not only sold to adults, but they targeted Texas children and exposed them to dangerous levels of THC,” he said.

“Since 2023, thousands of stores selling hazardous THC products have popped up in communities across the state, and many sell products, including beverages, that have three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer.”

Patrick added that Senate Bill 3 would be carried by state Senator Charles Perry, a fellow Republican, and expressed confidence it will have “broad bipartisan support in the Senate.”

Newsweek reached out to Patrick and Perry for comment on Thursday via email outside of regular office hours.

A store in Houston, Texas, selling hemp and tobacco products pictured on February 10, 2023. New legislation could make the sale of any hemp products in Texas illegal.

Brett Hondow/GETTY

In a May 2024 report, the Baker Institute, a non-partisan think tank based out of Rice University in Houston, said Texas lawmakers “did not anticipate the massive market for hemp-derived cannabinoids” produced by the 2019 legalization.

Consequently, they said, “From 2020 to 2023, sales of hemp-derived cannabinoids (excluding the non-impairing cannabidiol) increased by 1,283%, reaching a value of $2.78 billion last year.”

The Baker Institute argued against making the sale of all hemp products illegal, arguing this would be “certain to fail” and would force the industry underground.

“As of April 2024, Texas had over 7,000 registered hemp dispensaries. More than 50,000 Texans are estimated to be employed through the hemp sector,” they said. “A state ban would ruin this industry, but it would not reduce consumer demand for hemp-derived cannabinoids. Instead, consumers would turn to the illicit hemp market that would inevitably form in the wake of state prohibition.”

On November 5, voters in Nebraska voted to legalize medical marijuana, though attempts to legalize marijuana for recreational use failed in Florida, South Dakota and North Dakota.

In Florida, the move had majority support but failed to pass the 60 percent threshold to become law.

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Texas

Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly closes all locations nationwide, including final Texas stores

Published

4 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly closes all locations nationwide, including final Texas stores

Painted Tree Boutiques has abruptly closed all of its stores nationwide, blaming rising costs, shifting market conditions and changes in consumer shopping behavior.

The company, which grew to more than 60 locations nationally, leased booth space to vendors and took a commission on their sales, most often from craft and handmade items.

Texas’ stores included six in North Texas – Frisco, Grapevine, Highland Village, Lewisville, Mansfield and North Richland Hills – along with others in the Austin, San Antonio, Tyler and Houston areas.

Closure announced in company message

Painted Tree announced the closures in a message expressing gratitude to shoppers, vendors, and employees, noting its last day of business was Monday.

The Arkansas-originated company emphasized that Painted Tree was “never just a store,” but a community hub and launchpad for local makers.

“We are heartbroken by this outcome,” the company said.

“This decision has not come lightly, and it represents the end of a chapter that has meant everything to us,” the company said in a statement. “To our shoppers – you have made every single day worthwhile. You came to us not just to shop, but to discover, to support local makers, and to find something truly one-of-a-kind.

“To our dedicated team members – past and present – your commitment, creativity, and care have shaped everything we’ve accomplished. You showed up every day with kindness and purpose, and we are deeply thankful for every hour you gave to this community.”

Vendors told to retrieve inventory

Vendors were instructed to retrieve all inventory by April 24.

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Texas

Gov. Abbott to tour South Plains College, discuss Texas Jobs Council

Published

16 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Gov. Abbott to tour South Plains College, discuss Texas Jobs Council

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Gov. Greg Abbott is scheduled to tour the Automotive Technology and Welding Facility at South Plains College on Tuesday, April 14, and deliver remarks on the creation of the Texas Jobs Council and the state’s investments in career and technical education.

Abbott will be joined by Teamsters Local 988 President Robert Mele, South Plains College President Robin Satterwhite and Texas Association of Community Colleges President and CEO Ray Martinez III.

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Texas

Texas AG opens investigation into Austin over APD guidance on ICE warrants

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

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Texas AG opens investigation into Austin over APD guidance on ICE warrants

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Attorney General’s Office is launching an investigation into the City of Austin over recent changes to Austin Police Department policy involving immigration enforcement.

A news flash obtained by CBS Austin and sent to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and city council confirms the review focuses on updated guidance for how officers handle administrative ICE warrants.

The investigation comes as the state claims those changes may violate Texas Senate Bill 4, a law banning sanctuary cities in the state.

The policy change follows the addition of more than 700,000 ICE administrative warrants to a national law enforcement database earlier this year. According to the city, the revised policy creates a process for officers who encounter a person with an ICE administrative warrant and allows officers to provide “reasonable or necessary assistance,” while taking into consideration legal constraints and limited police resources.

MORE NEWS | Texas higher-ed leaders urge lawmakers to reassess support ahead of midterms

City leaders maintain the policy is lawful.

“We believe our general orders are consistent with SB4 and will cooperate with the Attorney General’s investigation,” said the newsflash.

Officials say the changes were designed to provide clearer guidance for officers while balancing public safety priorities and constitutional requirements.

CBS Austin has reached out the Attorney General’s Office for comment.

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This is a developing story.

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