Texas will restrict certain THC hemp products starting March 31. Business owners say the changes could reshape the industry.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has adopted new rules restricting certain smokable hemp products and other items containing THC-related compounds. The restrictions take effect March 31.As new Texas restrictions on smokable THC products take effect March 31, some North Texas retailers say the changes could eliminate a large share of their inventory and increase operating costs.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has adopted new rules restricting certain smokable hemp products and other items containing THC-related compounds. The changes also revise how THC levels are calculated and increase licensing requirements for businesses that manufacture or sell hemp products. A sign reads “March 30th is the Last Day for THCa product Sales” at the front door of Emerald City Dispensary & Lounge on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Fort Worth, TX.The updates focus on two key areas: expanding the definition of what qualifies as illegal THC products — including how compounds like THCA are measured — and raising licensing fees for retailers and manufacturers.Smokeable THCA flower – prerolled hemp cigarettes as well as flower buds sold in jars and packets – will disappear from the shelves of retailers, many of whom were having fire sales over the weekend to get rid of inventory. The Pineapple Express cannabis flower strain shown was available at Emerald City Dispensary & Lounge on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Fort Worth, TX.“The changes are hugely consequential to the industry,” said Mark Bordas, executive director of the Texas Hemp Business Council. “You’re going to be wiping out access to a lot of product in a very short period of time.”Retailers say the new rules will immediately affect the types of products they are able to sell and how they operate their businesses.Smokeable THCA flower – prerolled hemp cigarettes as well as flower buds sold in jars and packets – will disappear from the shelves of retailers, many of whom were having fire sales over the weekend to get rid of inventory. Todd Harris, co-owner of The Happy Cactus in Austin and chair of the retail committee for the Texas Hemp Business Council, said the changes target products that make up a large share of store inventory.“We’re going from under $600 to about $20,000,” he said. “That’s a pretty terrifying number to encounter as a small business.” Candice Stinnett, owner of Emerald City Dispensary & Lounge in Fort Worth, said customers at her Fort Worth shop have already expressed concern about the changes. “Their reaction has been a mix of profound sadness and genuine concern,” she said. “They’re worried about their access to relief.”“The elimination of THCA products is about 60% to 70% of our business,” Stinnett said. “Every retail location is now required to pay a $5,000 registration fee, and that can be a significant burden for small local businesses that are already stretched thin.” In addition to fees, industry representatives say changes to THC calculations will make products previously considered legal no longer compliant. “They’ve changed the way they enforce measuring total THC to include THCA,” Bordas said. “A lot of product overnight is no longer going to be legal.” A sign advertises changes to the sale of THCA at Emerald City Dispensary & Lounge on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Fort Worth, TX.For a cannabis product to be classified as legal hemp rather than illegal marijuana, it must contain THC from the hemp plant – the sister to the marijuana plant – and contain a concentration of delta-9 THC- of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.as a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that converts to delta-9 THC when heated. Current rules measure THCA products for delta-9 before they’re heated. The new rules would apply those standards to products after they’re heated – rendering those currently sold in stores illegal.to block new state regulations.The challenge, filed March 17 by Boomtown Vapor LLC, targets the Texas Department of State Health Services and its commissioner, Dr. Jennifer Shuford. The lawsuit alleges the agency is overstepping its authority by unilaterally redefining the legal standard for hemp.Advertisement Legal disputes over hemp-derived products are not new in Texas. In recent years, courts and regulators have addressed questions around delta-8 THC and other hemp-derived compounds, reflecting ongoing tension between state regulation and federal law. Courts often side with Texas retailers.Under federal and Texas law, hemp is defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, according to the Texas State Law Library. The definition stems from the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide. Texas followed by legalizing hemp in 2019, allowing products that meet the THC threshold to be manufactured and sold.Products that exceed the THC limit, or that are made from marijuana plants instead of hemp, are illegal unless they are part of the state’s Texas will continue to allow the sale of several hemp-derived products if they meet THC limits and regulatory requirements, including:Stinnett said customers at her Fort Worth shop have already expressed concern about the changes. “Their reaction has been a mix of profound sadness and genuine concern,” she said. “They’re worried about their access to relief.” Bordas said the industry has grown steadily since legalization and now supports tens of thousands of jobs across Texas.Still, he said the combination of product restrictions and higher fees could create challenges for smaller operators. “You’re going from fees in the hundreds of dollars to thousands overnight,” Bordas said. “For many small businesses, that’s a major burden.”Un hombre murió tras ser apuñalado en el Fiesta Mart de Garland mientras hacía sus compras
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
March Madness Moneyline Picks for Sunday, March 29Sunday features two Elite Eight matchups, and Phil Naessens has March Madness picks for both.
Read more »
March Madness Picks Against the Spread for Sunday, March 29JD Yonke's March Madness ATS picks see Michigan trampling Tennessee, and Duke once again struggling to put away a Big East opponent. Free against the spread selections for Sunday's Elite Eight games.
Read more »
Sean Miller Sends Bold Message to Texas Recruits After March MadnessSean Miller is setting new expectations with the Texas Longhorns after his first season with the team.
Read more »
FCS Football Recruiting Roundup: Texas Southern & McNeese Offer A Pair Of Texas HS StandoutsIn the FCS Football Central Recruiting Roundup, we catch up with recruits who received offers from multiple FCS programs.
Read more »
Official Rules: Texas Eats Medal Giveaway - March 30, 2026 - Kiolbassa Smoked MeatsContest rules for KSAT Medal Giveaway.
Read more »
Dallas-Fort Worth business datebook for the week of March 29Conferences on AI and banking security highlight a big week for economic events in D-FW.
Read more »