Voters on Election Day unseated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, according to The Texas Tribune. Patrick had led an effort to restrict THC products, which led state officials to ban several hemp-derived cannabis products, including smokeable vapes and joints. Austin state Rep. Vikki Goodwin focused her campaign on that push and on his incumbency. Her plan also included using sales tax revenue to pay for health insurance programs for low-income Texans.
Shayda Torabi, co-founder of RESTART CBD in Austin, said Goodwin's position helps the industry but is not an immediate fix. She said smokable products have changed through agency rules and court orders, and that lawmakers could write clear rules on age limits, testing, labeling and enforcement.
Torabi also said that even if the state lifts its smokable ban, THCA flower fails a new federal total THC test that starts Dec. 11.