Judge bars DSHS from enforcing new hemp rules, sets late July trial date
The order keeps smokable hemp and higher-fee rules on hold while a lawsuit challenges whether state regulators exceeded their authority.
- On Friday, Travis County Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle extended an injunction blocking the Texas Department of State Health Services from enforcing new hemp regulations until July 27, allowing retailers to continue selling smokable products.
- The DSHS rules, which took effect March 31, aimed to reclassify how THC levels are measured in consumable hemp products, effectively banning smokable hemp and raising licensing fees by more than 3,000%.
- Economist Beau Whitney testified the restrictions could cost Texas $7.2 billion annually and eliminate about 36,000 jobs, while the Texas Hemp Business Council argued the agency exceeded its authority.
- Separately on Friday, the Texas Supreme Court ruled state regulators possess "broad authority" to ban substances, reversing lower court orders that had protected Delta-8 THC.
- The state is expected to appeal the injunction, keeping the legal battle active while smokable hemp remains protected until the final trial scheduled for late July.
28 Articles
28 Articles
High Court Reversal: Delta-8 Stays On Texas Controlled Substances List - Tampa Free Press
The Texas Supreme Court has handed a significant legal defeat to the state’s hemp industry, ruling that the Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) acted within her authority when she classified manufactured delta-8 THC as a controlled substance. The decision, delivered by Justice Evan Andrew Young, effectively reverses lower court rulings […] High Court Reversal: Delta-8 Stays On Texas Controlled Substances List
The Killeen Daily Herald
Texas delta-8 ban may have hurt hemp businesses — but enforcement freeze must end, justices say
The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that a group of hemp retailers were harmed when the Department of State Health Services effectively criminalized delta-8.
Texas shops can still sell smokeable hemp THC for now, judge rules
By Stephen Simpson, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026 A Travis County district judge has allowed the sale of natural smokeable hemp products, such as flower buds and rolled joints, to continue for now. Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle’s ruling on Friday continues the pause on the ban that was granted earlier this month. Lyttle granted the Texas Hemp Business Council, Hemp Industry & Farmers of America, and several Texas-based dispensaries and manufac…
Travis County judge grants injunction halting Texas hemp rules, giving Galveston County shops relief
Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle of the 261st District Court granted the injunction in a lawsuit brought by the Texas Hemp Business Council and other industry plaintiffs, finding they met the standard for emergency relief while the case proceeds.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 74% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
