“I’m about to lose everything I’ve worked for,” says Marcus Denton, owner of Green Horizon Hemp in Austin, his voice cracking slightly during our interview at his shop. The shelves behind him – once stocked with hemp-derived products – already show gaps where inventory hasn’t been replaced.
Denton represents just one of hundreds of Texas business owners watching anxiously as Governor Greg Abbott considers Senate Bill 271. The legislation would ban hemp products containing more than 0.3% THC, including delta-8 and delta-9 THC products that have operated in a legal gray area since hemp was federally legalized in 2018.
“We’re employing 15 people right now,” Denton explains, glancing toward his staff helping customers. “If this bill gets signed, I’ll have to let most of them go by September.”
The Texas Department of State Health Services estimates the hemp industry generates roughly $800 million annually in Texas, supporting approximately 2,000 businesses and 25,000 jobs. These numbers represent real livelihoods hanging in the balance.
The bill passed both chambers of the Texas legislature last month and now awaits Governor Abbott’s signature or veto. He has until June 16 to make his decision, creating a tense waiting period for industry stakeholders.
“This isn’t just about businesses,” says Dr. Elizabeth Morales, an economist at the University of Texas who studies agricultural industries. “It’s about farmers, processors, retailers, and their employees – a complete economic ecosystem that’s developed around hemp.”
According to a Texas Hemp Coalition survey, 87% of hemp businesses expect to close if SB 271 becomes law. The remaining operations would likely be forced to dramatically downsize.
Susan Martinez opened her hemp retail store in San Antonio just two years ago after leaving her corporate job. “I invested my entire retirement savings,” she told me during a phone interview. “The products we sell help people with pain, anxiety, sleep issues – conditions that prescription medications often fail to address adequately.”
The bill’s supporters, including the Texas Medical Association and law enforcement groups, argue the legislation closes dangerous loopholes. They cite concerns about unregulated products, particularly their appeal to minors.
“Children are accessing these intoxicating products at alarming rates,” testified Sheriff Tom Williams of Harris County during legislative hearings. Data from the Texas Poison Center Network shows a 37% increase in calls related to delta-8 products involving minors since 2021.
However, industry advocates counter that regulation – not prohibition – would better address these concerns.
“We’ve been asking for reasonable regulations for years,” says Leah Norton, executive director of the Texas Hemp Federation. “Age restrictions, proper testing, childproof packaging – these would protect consumers while preserving legitimate businesses.”
The Texas Department of Agriculture has expressed similar views. In a statement to this reporter, Commissioner Sid Miller noted, “Hemp represents a significant agricultural opportunity for Texas farmers, especially as traditional crops face increasing challenges from climate change and market pressures.”
Federal legislation might eventually provide clarity. The 2023 Farm Bill currently under consideration in Congress includes provisions addressing hemp-derived cannabinoids, but its passage remains uncertain and would come too late for Texas businesses if SB 271 becomes law.
For now, business owners like Denton continue operating under a cloud of uncertainty. “Every morning I wake up wondering if today’s the day I’ll learn whether my business has a future,” he says.
The economic ripple effects could extend beyond direct industry participants. Commercial real estate brokers report that hemp retailers occupy approximately 1.2 million square feet of retail space in Texas. A mass closure would impact landlords and potentially create vacant storefronts in communities across the state.
“We’re seeing property owners already expressing concern,” notes Michael Chen, a commercial real estate analyst with Dallas-based Southwest Property Group. “Some are preparing contingency plans for potential vacancies if these businesses close.”
During a recent visit to the Texas Capitol, I observed hemp industry workers gathered with homemade signs, many displaying the number of years they’ve operated or employees they support. These personal stories contrast sharply with the often technical policy debates occurring inside legislative chambers.
Jana Wilson, who uses hemp products for chronic pain management, told me she worries about returning to prescription medications. “These products changed my life,” she explained. “I reduced my opioid use by half. What happens to patients like me if these options disappear?”
As Governor Abbott considers his decision, the hemp industry has mobilized an intensive lobbying and public education campaign. Their efforts highlight both economic impacts and the personal stories of business owners, employees, and customers.
The governor’s office reports receiving over 12,000 communications regarding SB 271, with approximately 85% opposing the legislation, according to records obtained through public information requests.
Whatever the outcome, Texas’ approach to hemp regulation will significantly impact how other states address these products. The tension between federal hemp legalization and state-level restrictions continues to create challenges for regulators and businesses alike.
For Denton and thousands of others in Texas, the next few days will determine whether their businesses survive or become casualties of changing regulatory landscapes. As he locks up his shop for the evening, he wonders aloud, “Will I even be here next month? That’s the question keeping me up at night.”
