Swarm City
This is from the Chron:
Texas’ state health agency is preparing to significantly increase the fees required to sell hemp products in the state, a move that could help officials pay for the enforcement of new regulations but potentially shut down thousands of smaller businesses.
The Department of State Health Services has proposed hiking the fee for retail licenses from $150 to $20,000 as soon as the end of this month. Manufacturers’ licenses, required to process raw hemp materials into usable compounds for edibles, beverages, tinctures and other products, could soon cost $25,000, up from the current $250.
The state agency estimates the increased fees would generate $202 million in revenue each year to help enforce new rules on hemp-derived THC ordered up by Gov. Greg Abbott. They include a new age requirement, testing rules, recall protocols, packaging limits and a ban on most smokable products.
But the new fees could also make it difficult or impossible for smaller businesses to continue operating, advocates said at an agency hearing on the proposed rules last week, while benefiting more established chains and out-of-state players.
“This is not regulation, it’s elimination,” said Luke Temple, an East Texas hemp farmer who also operates a retail location. “Fees at this level are completely unattainable for small businesses, resulting in a near-total wipeout of the hemp industry.”
It is obvious that MAGA Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick think their sh_t doesn’t smell. It is pretty clear. They don’t even believe in their own polling. Texans don’t want the hemp industry eliminated. Abbott and Patrick aren’t listening to Texans on this issue. I guess they are willing to take a hit on this in November.
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I was in H-Town’s East End yesterday and I saw a couple of big signs for Roy Morales for Congress in the 9th congressional district. Folks know who Roy is. He has run for various offices. A longtime GOPer, Roy is now running as an independent. Oh, well.
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A couple or so days ago, Alex Bregman signed a five-year deal with the Cubbies worth $175 million. Good for him. Bregman helped bring two World Series titles to H-Town. Since you asked, this season we visit Wrigley the weekend of May 22 – 24.
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I must admit, after starting the season at 0-3, I didn’t think we would be one of eight teams left playing in the divisional round on the weekend of January 17- 18, 2026. I think you didn’t either. Over the next five days, folks throughout the H-Town area will be wearing or displaying their team gear like in the featured photo. Enjoy it.
BTW: I just saw a post where we are now being called Swarm City. Ok, I guess.