Texas Lt. Governor Calls Hemp Sellers 'Terrorists' in Escalating Crackdown

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick labeled hemp business operators as "terrorists" amid the state's ongoing crackdown on legal hemp products, according to a new documentary episode released by High Times.

The comment, captured in Episode 2 of "Texas Cannabis Chronicles," offers a rare glimpse into the political rhetoric driving Texas's aggressive enforcement against the hemp industry—a sector that's grown into a multibillion-dollar market since the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp-derived products.

Texas hemp operators now face an uncertain future as state officials work to criminalize products that remain legal under federal law. The documentary explores how political pressure from the Lieutenant Governor's office has translated into enforcement actions that threaten to shut down hundreds of businesses across the state.

The Political Machine

The "terrorist" characterization marks a significant escalation in rhetoric from state leadership. Patrick has been a vocal opponent of hemp-derived THC products, particularly Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC products that exist in a legal gray area between hemp and marijuana.

Texas operates under a unique political structure where the Lieutenant Governor holds considerable power over legislative priorities. Patrick's office controls committee assignments and can effectively kill bills before they reach a vote—a dynamic that's shaped the state's approach to hemp regulation.

The documentary examines how this political machinery has created a patchwork enforcement landscape. Some counties aggressively prosecute hemp businesses while others take a hands-off approach, leaving operators in legal limbo.

Industry in Limbo

Texas's hemp market grew rapidly after 2018, with estimates suggesting the state hosts over 1,000 hemp-related businesses generating billions in annual revenue. Retailers selling Delta-8 THC products—derived from legal hemp but producing psychoactive effects—became particular targets of state enforcement.

But the crackdown hasn't followed clear legal guidelines. Hemp products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC remain federally legal, yet Texas authorities have seized inventory and filed charges against business owners based on state-level interpretations of hemp law.

The uncertainty has frozen investment and expansion plans. Business owners report difficulty securing banking services, insurance, and commercial leases as landlords and financial institutions grow wary of potential legal exposure.

What's Next

The Texas Legislature reconvenes in January 2025, and hemp regulation is expected to be a major legislative priority. Several bills are anticipated that would either clarify hemp's legal status or impose stricter regulations on intoxicating hemp products.

Industry advocates argue that Texas should follow the lead of states like Minnesota and Louisiana, which have created regulatory frameworks for hemp-derived products rather than pursuing criminal enforcement. Those frameworks typically include age restrictions, testing requirements, and licensing systems.

Meanwhile, hemp business owners continue operating in uncertainty. Some have relocated to neighboring states with clearer regulations. Others have stopped selling intoxicating products entirely, pivoting to CBD and other non-psychoactive hemp derivatives.

The documentary series continues to track developments as Texas navigates the tension between federal hemp legalization and state-level resistance—a conflict playing out in legislatures across the country.

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This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.