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Game Over in Texas? House Approves Bill to Ban Intoxicating Hemp Products

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No more delta-8 THC. No more delta-10 THC. No more chemically altered THC extracts.

“If it gets you high, it is not legal anymore,” Texas House Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, said while offering a floor amendment May 21 that, after more than two hours of debate, ultimately restored provisions to a Senate-passed bill that aims to ban consumable hemp products containing any amount of THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids.

Under Senate Bill 3, which the upper chamber passed in a 24-7 vote in March, would prohibit manufacturing hemp products containing any amount of a cannabinoid other than nonintoxicating CBD or CBG, delivering a knock-out blow to an estimated $8 billion state industry that employs some 50,000 workers.

The Texas House State Affairs Committee had provided a substitute for S.B. 3 that would have instead created a rigid regulatory framework for hemp products containing THC rather than an outright ban.

Oliverson, a board-certified anesthesiologist, was not interested in entertaining the counter option.

No more legal gray zones,” Oliverson said during Wednesday night’s House floor session. “We are not banning hemp. We are banning high. This amendment will preserve the right to grow industrial hemp and sell nonintoxicating CBD and CBG under current state and federal law. But if it gets you high, it is not legal anymore. We will not be allowing the sale of THC-based intoxicants in any forms.”

Oliverson’s position aligns with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who championed S.B. 3 as the top leadership figure in the Senate.

In addition to prohibiting intoxicating hemp products, S.B. 3 would make it a third-degree felony to manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to deliver consumable hemp products with intoxicating cannabinoids. It would also be a third-degree felony to falsify laboratory reports or to possess, manufacture or sell the products without a license or registration.

Those convicted of third-degree felonies in Texas face two to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine. Under current Texas law, possessing 4 ounces or less of cannabis is a misdemeanor with the possibility of up to one year behind bars.

The House voted, 88-53, to adopt Oliverson’s amendment, choosing prohibition over regulation, after much of the evening’s debate centered on the state’s veterans having access to products that many of them use to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental or physical health conditions. Although Texas has a low-THC medical cannabis program, the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), that program is severely limited.

With the amendment in place, House lawmakers passed the underlying legislation, 95-44. They are expected to adopt a third reading of the bill on May 22 before officially sending it back to the Senate for a final sign-off before it can arrive at Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.

After Wednesday’s House passage, Lukas Gilkey, the CEO of Austin-based consumer-packaged goods brand Hometown Hero, said in a video post on X that he expects Abbott to sign the legislation.

“Immediately, we are going to be prepping for a lawsuit,” Gilkey said. “The Texas Hemp Business Council has resources allocated for this specific purpose. So, this is something that’s going to impact all of us. … The fight is not over.”

Hometown Hero is just one of more than 6,000 Texas-based businesses that sell edibles, inhalable products and other popular form factors containing delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC or other compounds derived or created from hemp.

Oliverson said Texas lawmakers and Abbott never intended to permit manufacturing and selling hemp “intoxicants” when they adopted House Bill 1325 in 2019, which authorized the commercial production of industrial hemp following the federal legalization of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill.

However, after five years of Texans having access to consumable hemp products, prohibition is not the solution, Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, said May 21 on the House floor.

“It is 2025, and we’re still rehashing parts of Reefer Madness from the 50s and 60s,” he said. “We thought that we had gotten past this, that we’ve grown, that we’ve gotten smarter, learned more, built more knowledge, and we’re past this. But here we are back again, trying to go backwards in time.”

While Wu acknowledged that THC is a compound that children should not consume, he said the dangers are “way far overblown,” adding that THC has caused zero fatalities in a nation that continues to struggle with the abuse of deadly alternatives.

“The point is that many people, yes, they do self-medicate with THC because it makes their lives better, and we should support this,” he said. “You know why? Because if they were not self-medicating with THC, they would be self-medicating with alcohol and opioids.”

After the House moved forward on the Senate’s prohibition version of S.B. 3, industry veteran Thomas Winstanley, the executive vice president of Edibles.com, condemned the legislation.

Winstanley, who spent six years working with Massachusetts-based multistate operator Theory Wellness, spearheaded Edible Brands’ entrance into the hemp-derived THC marketplace via Edibles.com’s e-commerce platform for deliveries earlier this year. Edible Brands is the parent company of Edibles Arrangements.

While S.B. 3 may aim to address a “real consumer health issue” in Texas—unregulated products—the legislation’s cure is worse than the disease, Winstanley said in a statement provided to Cannabis Business Times.

“Is there a need for a thoughtful policy that codifies a sustainable and regulated path forward? Absolutely. But does S.B. 3 accomplish that? No,” he said. “In fact, it does the opposite, fueling the very risks it claims to eliminate by pushing safe, regulated products out of reach and creating a vacuum that will be filled by unregulated, illicit alternatives.”

While several House members pointed to the state’s veteran community as one that supports access to consumable THC hemp products, and, more broadly, cannabis legalization, Rep. David Lowe, R-North Richland Hills, spoke in support of the ban.

Lowe, an Army veteran who served four tours overseas, including two combat deployments to Afghanistan, told his colleagues in the House that he doesn’t take the issue lightly after suffering greatly from PTSD.

“Some are using veterans with PTSD as a reason to oppose this bill,” he said. “As someone who has lived through the darkness of war and its aftermath, I say this sincerely: Stop using veterans like me as a vehicle to push your unregulated hemp products.”

Rep. Josey Garcia, D-San Antonio, took issue with those remarks.

The first woman, active-duty veteran to serve in the Texas House, Garcia committed to the U.S. Air Force through the Delayed Enlistment Program at 16, going on to serve deployments in Cameroon and Iraq, including as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Garcia said her staff fielded hundreds of emails and letters this legislative session from veterans asking to legalize THC.

“Out of hundreds of emails that I had, there’s only one that I saw that was from a veteran asking us to ban THC, and we all got that letter on our desk today,” she said “One thing that has me very concerned when we’re talking about supporting our veterans, a lot of you walk around calling yourself patriots, and you wear the pin on your chest to represent a very free country that we live in … those of us who have chosen to wear the uniform have done so with the inherent knowledge that we are giving up our lives for our freedoms.”

Garcia called S.B. 3’s prohibition policy a bait-and-switch maneuver by lawmakers who say they’ll support veterans only to create legal ramifications for those who choose an alternative to pharmaceuticals as a means to “quiet the nightmares” of their service.



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Can Cannabis Drinks Be A Healthy Wellness Addition

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In the search of a healthier lifestyle…maybe a cannabis beverage can be added.

Millennials have lead the surge in the California sober movement, now they are embracing wellness culture, cannabis-infused beverages. The drinks are quickly becoming a go-to alternative to alcohol. But can they actually support your health—or are they more hype than help?

Cannabis drinks, especially low-dose THC and CBD seltzers or teas, promise relaxation, reduced stress, and better sleep. They offer a smoke-free, easily dosable way to consume cannabis—often infused with other wellness ingredients like adaptogens or nootropics.

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This appeals especially to Millennials who are drinking less alcohol but still crave something social and calming. In fact, a 2022 National Institutes of Health survey reported record-high cannabis use among young adults aged 19–30, with many turning to edibles and beverages for a more controlled experience.

But is it actually healthy? That depends on how it’s used. According to the Mayo Clinic, while cannabis may help relieve anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain, it also carries potential side effects—like dizziness, dry mouth, and interactions with other medications. The key is moderation and understanding what’s in your drink.

pink smoothie

This is where microdosing comes in. Many cannabis beverages now contain just 2–5 mg of THC—enough to take the edge off without causing intoxication. For some, this low-dose approach promotes calm and better sleep without the hangover or mental fog associated with alcohol.

Still, not all drinks are created equal. Some products contain high sugar levels or unverified ingredients. It’s important to choose beverages with lab-tested THC or CBD levels and transparent labeling.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved cannabis-infused beverages for medical use, and warns that CBD and THC products may pose risks if misused—especially for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications. Always check with a healthcare provider before adding cannabis to your routine.

RELATED: Forget Ozempic Cannabis Can Help You Get a Summer Body

If you are looking at trying one, look for beverages with natural ingredients, low sugar, and clear THC/CBD content. Start low, go slow, and prioritize quality over trendiness.

cannabis drinks can be part of a balanced wellness lifestyle—if used mindfully. For Millennials seeking calmer evenings, better rest, or a social buzz without booze, these drinks offer a promising, low-impact alternative.



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Delaware to Commence Adult-Use Cannabis Sales on Aug. 1—831 Days Since Legalization

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Delaware will be the 22nd state to launch adult-use cannabis sales when dispensaries open for business on Aug. 1, state regulators announced this week.

The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) gave the green light on July 1 for the state’s 13 existing medical cannabis dispensaries, known as medical marijuana compassion centers, to transition to serving adult-use customers 21 years and older in a first-mover advantage beginning next month.

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The forthcoming launch date comes more than two years—831 days to be exact—since former Delaware Gov. John Carney allowed the Delaware Marijuana Control Act to be enacted without his signature in April 2023.

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Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin, who was nominated in April 2025 to take the reins, is now overseeing the program rollout.

“The start of legal adult-use marijuana sales reflects the tireless efforts of our regulatory team and our strong partnerships with state agencies, industry stakeholders and community leaders,” Sanderlin said. “Our focus is on building a safe, equitable and accountable marijuana market that delivers real benefits to Delawareans. We will continue to issue conditional licenses to previously selected applicants to ensure they can begin operations once active.” 

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The OMC finalized regulations for a commercial marketplace in September 2024 under former Marijuana Commissioner Rob Coupe, who had originally hoped for a March 2025 sales launch with a strong focus on social equity licensees.

The OMC held lotteries in October 2024 and December 2024 to award 125 adult-use licenses to cultivators, manufacturers, retailers and testing labs, including for 30 new dispensaries, half of which were reserved for social equity applicants.

However, the spring 2025 sales launch was delayed when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) rejected the OCM’s application in March for a service code needed to initiate Delaware’s statutorily required criminal background checks via a fingerprinting system for new licensees. Existing medical operators have already undergone the background checks.

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed legislation less than a month later to align state law with FBI standards for the service code, putting the adult-use sales launch via an equitable rollout back on track. However, the OCM did not specify when new licensees could enter the market in a July 1 press release announcing the Aug. 1 sales commencement.

“Delaware has taken a major step forward by launching a legal adult-use cannabis market that prioritizes equity, safety and accountability,” Meyer said. “This new industry will generate critical revenue to strengthen our schools, infrastructure and public health systems, while creating real opportunities for entrepreneurs. This revenue also gives us a powerful tool to invest in the communities most impacted by the war on drugs, addressing past wrongs and ensuring that the benefits of this new market reach every corner of our state. I’m proud we’re moving quickly and thoughtfully to build a cannabis market that reflects our values and expands opportunity for every Delawarean.”

Initially, there was no path for existing medical cannabis operators to transition to the expanded marketplace under the 2023 legalization legislation. However, the General Assembly passed follow-up legislation in 2024 to provide that pathway to help kickstart the adult-use program. Without medical cannabis companies providing products via established cultivation operations, the sales launch could have remained sidelined for years as new licensees build out their grow facilities.

Still, conversion licenses for medical cannabis companies to transition to adult-use operations came at a significant cost: $200,000 for cultivators, and $100,000 for manufacturers and retailers. The conversion fees resulted in $4 million in funding to support Delaware’s social equity applicant start-up grants, according to the OMC.

MariMed CEO Jon Levine, whose company acquired First State Compassion Center’s cultivation and processing facilities and two dispensaries in March, said he’s excited to participate in the expansion of Delaware’s cannabis program with the sales launch next month.

“Our Delaware business unit, First State Compassion, was the first licensed operator in the state 10 years ago, and since then, we have proudly served the state’s medical cannabis patients,” Levine said. “We are looking forward to opening our doors to many more residents and the nearly 30 million tourists who visit the state annually.”

In anticipation of the sales launch, MariMed has already improved its Wilmington and Lewes dispensaries to help ensure that an increase in customer traffic does not impact the experience and product selections that its medical cannabis patients have enjoyed up until this point, Levine said. The company has also begun scaling production at its cultivation and processing facilities to meet the expected rise in demand.

Delaware’s adult-use marketplace could provide $215 million in economic activity, including more than $40 million in annual state tax revenue, Spotlight Delaware reported earlier this year.



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RollPros Expands Offerings with New Packaging and Design Services for Pre-Roll Brands

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Blackbird operators can now streamline operations and elevate brand presence with custom packaging solutions designed for speed, compliance, and impact.

RollPros is excited to launch our new packaging and design services, built specifically for pre roll brands that are ready to stand out.

From certified child-resistant packs and pre roll tubes to fully branded kits and compliant label design, our new packaging solutions are designed to help you move faster, look sharper, and stay compliant. These services meet the same standards of precision and consistency the industry already expects from the Blackbird, without the inflated costs often seen from traditional packaging vendors.

We’ve always wanted to be more than your equipment supplier. Many of our customers already source your crutches and papers from us, so adding packaging just made sense. One vendor, one point of contact, one smooth workflow. It is not only more convenient, it is more cost effective.

“This is a huge step forward in our goal to be a one-stop shop for pre roll manufacturers,” says Johnathan McFarlane, VP of Sales and Marketing at RollPros. “Having not only their equipment but also their consumables, packaging, and even design under one vendor is a huge value-add for our customers. It will make their ops more streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective. We’ve always wanted to be their easy button, and we’re finally there.”

Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling a multi-state operation, our packaging is built to meet the highest standards in design, function, and compliance. We use premium-grade materials that are made to fit Blackbird pre rolls perfectly, so you can avoid the one-size-fits-none packaging problems that slow brands down.

Need help with design? We’ve got that covered too. Our team can create a new visual identity from scratch or apply your existing brand look across your entire product line. Every touchpoint will reflect your brand and speak directly to your customers.

The result is packaging that does more than check compliance boxes. It grabs attention, reinforces brand identity, and builds trust with consumers from the very first impression.

We’re here to make things easier. Learn more and get started at https://rollpros.com/packaging/ or reach out to our sales team directly. Let’s make your brand stand out on every shelf. 



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