Author: Rachel Nelson

Ricky Williams Joins SB3 Fight

Written by Rachel Nelson on March 20, 2025. Posted in Business, Football.

Will $475,000 Campaign Help Bring a 4th Quarter Win?

Former Longhorn and Heisman winner Ricky Williams hopes to sway Texas lawmakers on cannabis legislation. He co-founded Project Champion with former NFL athletes Jim McMahon and Kyle Turley. Together, the trio hopes to use their influence — and a $475,000 campaign — to stop Senate Bill 3 in its tracks.

SB3 passed with bipartisan support through the Texas Senate on March 19. If the House passes the bill, it will ban THC in the state and kill an $8 billion industry.

“As former professional athletes, we’ve experienced firsthand the physical and mental toll of high-impact sports,” Project Champion’s website states. “Many of us have turned to cannabis as a natural solution for pain management and overall well-being.

“Recognizing the need for safe, effective and accessible cannabis products, we’ve joined forces to advocate for fair legislation and shatter the stigma surrounding this powerful plant.”

Williams is no stranger to cannabis activism, as he was suspended from the NFL multiple times during his career for positive drug tests. In recent months, the league has loosened regulations surrounding cannabis. In 2023, Chiefs’ Travis Kelce told Vanity Fair that he estimates 80% of players use the substance.

On episode 134 of The Texas Hemp Show Podcast, Williams shared that he wished more pro-cannabis athletes would speak out – a mission Project Champion facilitates.

“The stigma is still strong,” he said. “I think people are afraid of it tarnishing their reputation. But to me, a reputation of being something that you’re not and pretending to that you are – not really worth it.”

With their NFL days behind them, Williams, McMahon and Turley have turned over new leaves as cannabis entrepreneurs. In recent years, Williams launched his Highsman brand, while McMahon and Turley have a joint venture called Revenant.

“To me, being an athlete is temporal, and people forget about you – unless you’re the best ever – people forget about you in a generation,” Williams told The Texas Hemp Show in 2023. “What I tell young athletes, I say, ‘Being a professional athlete in the long scheme of your life, it just gives you a platform to do something. But how are you going to use that platform?’ I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to utilize my platform to touch and help and inspire a lot of people who don’t have any interest in football.”

The athletes work alongside the organization’s president, Gretchen Gailey, a seasoned Washington D.C. journalist who worked in the public affairs space and served as communications director for Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA).

As part of their nationwide efforts, Project Champion lands earned media telling powerful cannabis stories. They have secured headlines on Forbes, MJBizDaily, Benzinga and Chron (to name a few).

Texas’ 89th Legislative Session ends June 2, and it is not yet clear when the House will vote on SB3. In the meantime, Project Champion plans to launch a digital advocacy campaign, host high-impact events and build coalitions.

For more information, visit projectchampion.org.

T&T Roots Opens First Storefront in Lufkin

Written by Rachel Nelson on January 6, 2025. Posted in Cultivation.

This past year has been good to Luke Temple of T&T Roots. On Oct. 18, he was crowned the first-ever Texas Terpene King for his Legendary Platinum OG Rosin, which placed first in the Taste of Texas Hemp Cup’s premiere concentrates competition.

Temple launched his organic hemp farm in 2021, and on Nov. 1, he achieved a new milestone — opening a storefront in downtown Lufkin. A ribbon cutting will take place Jan. 9 at the store, located at 120-A E. Lufkin Ave.

“It’s been phenomenal,” Temple said. “I’m probably going to start opening more days of the week.”

For now, the store is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Temple sells products from other Texas brands in his store, such as Tejas Tonic, Oak Cliff Cultivators and Kache.

“Everything is Texas farmers, Texas owned, Texas branded,” he said.

Things have certainly taken a turn for the better, as it wasn’t long ago that the local Chamber of Commerce denied T&T Roots’ vendor application for the Texas Forest Festival — an East Texas tradition that takes place in Lufkin.

But as the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” So Temple joined the Lufkin Chamber and began winning the community over with his hemp-based health and wellness products. Before long, T&T was nominated for newcomer business of the year.

“Once I joined the Chamber, I really started changing everybody’s point of view, and they could see it was helping them and helping their friends,” Temple said.

As for future plans, Temple said his next goal is to open a store in Nacogdoches. He is also in talks to help bring THC-infused beverage options to a local brewery.

A Talk with Tejas: Diving Deep into Synthetics with Aaron Owens

Written by Rachel Nelson on December 7, 2024. Posted in Texas Legal & Regulatory News.

There is a crossroads in the hemp industry where many stakeholders clash. Some business owners and investors believe synthetic THC products should remain on the shelves. Others would like to see the state issue a total ban on synthetics.

Synthetic cannabinoids are a source of confusion for many, including lawmakers who will gather at the Texas Capitol for the 89th Legislative Session in January.

The general lack of understanding regarding synthetics is concerning for Texas Farmer Aaron Owens, especially because Texas is on track to mull over Delta 8 (D8) and Delta 9 (D9) THC this session. When the state legislature last convened in 2023, lawmakers did not address hemp, which remains loosely regulated.

Owens, founder of Dripping Springs-based Tejas Hemp and Tejas Tonic, said ignorance surrounding synthetics could have dire consequences for hemp, causing lost progress industry-wide.

“You’ve got the politicians who just don’t know any better,” he says, “It seems unfair to ask politicians to become chemists overnight. They are just not in tune with the details and differences between the naturally occurring and extracted cannabinoids vs. those that are synthetically manufactured. Many are under the impression that different forms of THC are just different varieties of plants. This is a misconception.

“There is only one version of THC that can be extracted from hemp plants in normal industry conditions, and that’s the old-fashioned kind: Delta 9 THC. The industry has been allowing this misconception; some knowingly, many not knowingly. The result is an understandable frustration. The risk is losing the whole industry overnight through returning to full-blown prohibition. We want regulation, not elimination.”

Owens’ fears seem legitimate, as 2024 saw states across the country move to restrict hemp.

In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an emergency order to ban consumable hemp products with any detectable amount of THC. While the order expires in 2025, Newsom said it offers an interim solution to hold bad actors accountable while lawmakers work on new legislation.

On the other side of the nation, Ohio is facing a bill that would ban intoxicating hemp products statewide. In 2023, Ohio legalized adult cannabis use. According to the bill’s language, cannabis is not considered an intoxicating hemp product, and it will not be affected if a ban is passed.

At the federal level, the Mary Miller Amendment was passed by the House Agricultural Committee in May and aims to change the Farm Bill’s current definition of hemp to include naturally occurring, naturally derived and non-intoxicating cannabinoids. Cannabis Attorney Rod Kight, a regular contributor to Texas Hemp Reporter, said its final passage would kill the entire hemp industry.

To stakeholders like Owens, such drastic measures highlight politicians’ mass confusion surrounding the plant.

“I have a friend that called me one day to tell me his granddaughter was in the emergency room. She took an over-the-counter 20mg THC gummy. Turns out it was a 20mg THCP gummy. Well, she nor anyone I have ever heard of has ever had experience with THCP. That’s because THCP is another synthetic THC that was created at scale for the first time just after the Delta 8 craze of 2021. Its effects are significantly stronger than normal plant-derived THC. Of course, she is okay, but not without a big scare and likely a hefty medical bill.

“It’s just unnecessary, in my opinion. What is the purpose of these synthetic isolates? To benefit the user’s well-being? Or is it more like the seller’s pocketbook? Just remember though — not all who sale these products know all these details, nor have mal intention. This is where responsible regulation comes in to benefit the wellbeing of our patrons, which is really what’s most important.”

Earlier this year, the Texas Senate’s State Affairs Committee heard testimony regarding D8 and D9. At the May 29 hearing, witnesses from both sides of the aisle offered opinions. While supporters touted the plant’s medicinal and economic benefits, naysayers expressed concerns about loved ones who experienced cannabis-induced psychosis.

Owens feels a mandate for naturally derived products would help eliminate the horror stories surrounding hemp. He also claims, “The economic opportunities of naturally occurring plant-derived THC are not only more than present but also come with a proven history of consistency at dosage, as well just flat out not hurting people (and not to mention would actually put farmers like me back to work).”

The path to synthetics: How did we get here?

According to Vote Hemp’s 2019 Hemp License Report, the United States had 511,442 licensed acres of hemp in 2019, a 455% year-over-year increase. These numbers depict the exponential industry growth that took place after the federal Farm Bill was passed in 2019, which made hemp farming legal.

Owens said that in order to provide the whole United States’ demand with CBD for one year at that time, we only required a meager 8,500 acres of hemp production, and with supply far exceeding demand, many industry investors lost everything.

“Unfortunately, the commodity complex occurred and drove the value of CBD so low that it became worth less than what it cost to process. So what now were they to do with all that hemp?” Owens said. “Some burned it, others threw it away, but the majority made CBD isolate.”

CBD isolate is a pure form of cannabidiol (CBD). It is one of over 130 known cannabinoids — or active compounds — found in the cannabis plant. CBD is not psychoactive, so it does not cause a high for the user. However, research shows it can offer many therapeutic benefits.

Isolating CBD from the hemp plant’s other cannabinoids is achieved through a variety of processing methods, including chromatography (read about that here).

How are synthetics made?

Once the CBD is isolated, a chemical process, often referred to as an acid wash, is used to convert the CBD into either Delta 8 or Delta 9 THC, which are both psychoactive cannabinoids. Essentially, the conversion takes a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid and turns it into a psychoactive one.

“So what happened next was truly a creative solution to a financial pressure, as well a political workaround: Delta 8 THC was created. The CBD isolate was converted to Delta 8 THC, which being unregulated, became the fast path to recouping capital exposures. It also provided a useful path to market all of the surplus of Industrial Hemp from 2019,’” Owens said. “It happened because we had a surplus of a supply that needed to be monetized, as well because let’s face it, people want THC, and that’s not a bad thing.”

What is the difference between D8 and D9?

According to Owens, the polarity of the acid being used, meaning if it were naturally either positively charged or negatively charged, can drive whether the final product is a Delta 8 or a Delta 9 THC.

D8 only occurs naturally in trace amounts in the cannabis plant.

“There is no question about it: all Delta 8 THC in the market is synthetic, period,” Owens said.

Because D9 occurs more abundantly in cannabis, it’s a toss-up whether products in the market contain synthetic or naturally occurring D9. Unfortunately, most current laboratories do not specify whether the D9 molecule is natural or synthetic.

“It is not likely that brands are going to tout that their D9 THC is synthetic on the label and to be quite honest, the majority are not likely to even know,” Owens said. “If you want to discern whether what you are consuming is a naturally occurring D9 THC vs synthetic, you can look on the COA for something very specific. If all that is there is D9 THC and CBD, you are holding a product made with isolates; and if there is even the smallest little touch of D8, then 100% it’s a synthetic. If the report shows ZERO D8 THC, as well presence of other minor cannabinoids, like CBG, THCV, CBDV, or CBC for example, then there’s your sign the material is natural and from a plant.”

Users should always read product labels and laboratory Certificates of Analysis (COAs) to know what they are consuming. Many products include a QR code on the label that directs to its corresponding COA.

Whether synthetic or natural, both D8 and D9 can be infused into vape juice, beverages, gummies and many other products that can lead to intoxicating effects. However, when it comes to smokable hemp flower, synthetic compounds are often sprayed onto buds to make them intoxicating. “Not Good,” is Owens’ only comment on this.

Should lawmakers ban synthetics?

Owens said all of Tejas’ products are naturally derived and gives several reasons why he takes a personal stance against synthetics.

1. Synthetics take away from farmers

First and foremost, Owens says synthetics have stolen the potential for agriculture, for farming, an industry the Federal Government intends the Farm Bill is in place to help.

“The Texas Department of Agriculture created a program to stimulate farmers, but now the market is riddled with synthetic products that are created for pennies on the dollar, and removed 99% of the opportunity for local agriculture to be a viable practice. What about us farmers?”

2. Unprecedented consumption lacks research

With a lack of research on the impacts of consuming high concentrations of isolated or synthetic compounds, no one knows what the long-term implications could be.

“None of this has been consumed in these concentrations ever in the history of time,” Owens said.

3. The supply chain is questionable

Consumers may assume they are purchasing American-sourced products when, in reality, they could be buying cheaper, subpar versions of active ingredients sourced from abroad. Unknown manufacturing requirements and quality control standards can pose a safety risk. Hence the desire for responsible regulation.

“Do you think all pure CBD or converted molecule that enters the American market was taken from a hemp plant? How about if it did come from a hemp plant, do you think it was grown on American soil? The entire synthetics supply chain is likely not even in our country at this point,” Owens said. “Industrial agriculture costs often boils down to labor. We all know there are many countries abroad that have cheaper labor than the U.S.”

Some may also attempt to mimic cannabinoids with unsafe products like the infamous designer drug JWH-018 — also known as K2 or Spice. The active ingredient travels the same neural pathways as THC and can be masqueraded as D8 or D9.

“A handful of years back, a synthetic version of the psychoactive cannabinoid JWH-018 was being mailed to the US from China. People were spraying this on herbs and selling so people could get high and not fail a drug test. It did not go well, and was ultimately outlawed. Good Decision,” Owens said. “We don’t need synthetics when the plant is already offering us everything we need and desire, plus the many, many more benefits that haven’t yet had time to be discovered.”

4. Naturally derived cannabis offers far-reaching benefits

Owens hopes lawmakers will consider the plus side to the plant this session.

Hemp plants remediate soil, meaning they remove contaminants. This means the plants themselves actually remove heavy metals, residual pesticides, and all types of unhealthy materials from our soil as they grow. This even includes nuclear waste!
Hemp can be produced in a much shorter time than other traditional crops, and therefore requires less water than other crops overall.
Research is continually emerging on hemp’s medicinal benefits.
Hemp offers a multitude of industrial application opportunities.
Hemp offsets greenhouse gas emissions by removing carbon from the air.
Hemp plants put oxygen back into the air.

“The whole life cycle of the plant benefits our whole world,” Owens said.

5. There’s something missing

Whether isolates are synthetic or not, Owens said the plant’s entourage effect can not occur without the other cannabinoids and terpenes present. Terpenes, found within the hemp plant’s essential oils, are the compounds that give hemp and cannabis strains their unique smells and flavors.

The entourage effect hypothesizes that all minor cannabinoids interact synergistically with THC, as well as the essential oils, to modulate the overall psychoactive effects of the plant while maximizing the medicinal benefits. Therefore, Owens views full-spectrum products with all compounds intact as superior.

He uses a football analogy to illustrate his point:

“In marijuana, THC is the quarterback and CBD is the tailback. In hemp, CBD is your quarterback and THC the running back,” he said. “There are over 130 known cannabinoids to complete the rest of the team. Then the essential oils, which include the terpenes, which are like your cheerleaders. If you bring your Hemp product to the table with nothing more than a quarterback and a running back, how effective do you think they will be vs. a product that has over 130 people on their team and with the support of their cheerleaders as well? The naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes all together win every time — there’s really no question.”

Without the entourage effect, Owens believes consumers do not experience the plant’s full therapeutic potential.

“Are we trying to get people high or are we trying to help people? Healing properties are not coming from a synthesized isolate, period,” he said.

The other side of the coin

Since D8 products became widely available, supporters say they have used them to help alleviate anxiety, panic attacks, nausea, stress, depression and chronic pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has documented some adverse effects as well, including hallucinations, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

D8 is sometimes referred to as “weed lite.” Some users prefer it because, while it produces a high, it is not as strong as D9 at the same dosage.

Because D8 has gained so much popularity, many business owners have been vocal about continuing to sell the products in their stores. According to Forbes, D8 generated $2 billion in revenue during its first two years of being legal.

“Of course they did, and of course they are; because natural D9 THC was not available. Now it is, so why do we need a workaround?” Owens said.

Will 2025 be a grim year for hemp in Texas?

According to federal law, the Farm Bill must be reviewed and renewed every five years, meaning the 2018 version should have been revisited in 2023. However, lawmakers have punted the issue down the road by extending the 2018 Farm Bill, which is set to expire on Dec. 31.

As Texas’ legislative session approaches, “Regulation, not elimination” is a mantra ringing through the industry, and Owens believes banning synthetic cannabinoids is the best path forward.

“The solution is to ban synthetics and make it to where you can only sell what you can extract from the plant, not to mention allowing the political authorities a chance to focus on regulating just one thing. That’s so much more reasonable,” he said.

Synthetics aside, most stakeholders are in favor of common sense regulations, such as:

Age gating: As it stands today, stores can legally sell hemp products to minors. However, most store owners self-regulate, taking it upon themselves to turn away customers who are under 21. Many products, like Tejas Tonic, say “21 and up” on the label.
Packaging restrictions: The design of product packages should not appeal to children.
Regulating the proximity of smoke shops to schools: In Texas, a liquor store can not operate within 300 feet of a school, and smoke shops could be regulated the same way.

Ultimately, it’s too early to predict how the state legislature will move on hemp this session. One thing is for certain, though: If Owens has it his way, responsible regulation of D9 THC from an actual hemp plant will enable the future, and synthetics will be a thing of the past.

Interns Wanted

Written by Rachel Nelson on November 20, 2024. Posted in Podcast.

Texas Hemp Reporter is seeking spring/summer interns to join the team from January 15 – June 20, 2025.

We’re looking for candidates with a variety of multimedia skills, such as:

Writing and reporting
Videography (filming and editing)
Broadcast journalism
Social media content creation
Search Engine Optimization
Graphic and motion design
Podcast production

This is an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to build a portfolio and get introduced to the world of hemp and cannabis journalism/marketing.

While the internship is not paid, interns have the opportunity to earn a 20% commission on advertising leads that become sales.

At the end of this internship, you will have published work to show, including:

Social media content
Bylines in Texas Hemp Reporter
Other special projects depending on skillset, including for The Texas Hemp Show podcast
Coverage of the Texas Legislative Session, where hemp will be an important issue

Other perks:

Network and build relationships within the industry
The opportunity to attend statewide hemp and cannabis events

Applicants must:

Live in Texas. We are seeking candidates from all across the state, including the Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin areas. (Feel free to apply if you live in other regions as well).
Be available to meet virtually on Mondays at 4:20 p.m.
Meet weekly and monthly content deadlines, depending on your role.

How to apply:

Send your resume, cover letter and at least one sample of your work to [email protected]. Please put “Internshp Applicant” as the subject.
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Interviews will take place the week of Jan. 8-12
The first virtual team meeting takes place Monday, Jan. 15 at 4:20 p.m..

Errganix Hemp Farm is This Year’s Hemp Flower Champion

Written by Rachel Nelson on November 4, 2024. Posted in Cultivation.

The Taste of Texas Hemp Cup recognizes cultivators throughout the state for offering superior products. Errganix Hemp Farm won this year’s flower competition with its Michigan Cherries submission.

“It feels pretty good,” said Eric Goodman, owner of Errganix. “It feels deserved. I worked hard for it.”

Errganix is no stranger to the Taste of Texas Hemp Cup. In 2022, the brand took the top prize in the People’s Choice category and second place for best flower.

“The flower that I submitted this time was a lot better than the flower I submitted last time, so my competition was myself,” Goodman said. “I was trying to beat myself and succeeded.”

Michigan Cherries is a cross between the Tropical Cherries and GMO strains, Goodman said.

“It was a lime green with purple on the inside,” Goodman said. “The bud was really crystally, so even when you break it in half, it was really frosty and covered in trichomes. And the trichomes were intact, which means the weed wasn’t smashed or sitting around,”

A longtime grower, Goodman said he took a liking to cultivating plants as a young boy.

“The way I grew up, matter of fact, in our age in elementary school, sprouting beans and bringing the plant to school was just part of the grade,” he said. “I had carrots and beans in elementary school in our backyard. It was just fascinating.”

Later, Goodman said he was inspired to grow cannabis using lessons learned in Ed Rosenthal’s book, Closet Cultivator.

While Goodman was optimistic he would win this year’s top prize, he said he did not have a speech prepared for the big win.

“I just let the flower do the talking,” he said. “Everybody out here in Austin knows my flower. I’m always sold out.”

William Oboyle smelling jar of hemp flower

Keeping The Hemp Industry Strong

Written by Rachel Nelson on October 31, 2024. Posted in CBD News & Business, Legislative.

MedaLeaf Founder Believes Texas Lawmakers Will Keep Hemp Industry Strong

As the 89th Texas Legislative session approaches, William Oboyle, founder of MedaLeaf, said he doesn’t believe lawmakers will move to take the state’s hemp industry backward.

“Texas is going to make decisions on how hemp is going to be regulated, so when you start looking at how many small businesses there are that have evolved to where they’re at, the state of Texas has a great responsibility to small business owners to continue to have them thrive,” he said.

Oboyle notes that Texas is historically a business-friendly state.

“The genie can’t be put back in the bottle unless you want to close thousands of small businesses,” he said, adding “We need to put it on the shelves and tax it.”

Tax revenue will likely be a major consideration for lawmakers, as the state’s cannabusiness revenue surpassed $8 billion in 2023 (according to the 2023 U.S. National Cannabinoid Report by Whitney Economics).

When it comes to regulations, Oboyle predicts lawmakers may move to enact extra taxes or packaging regulations that help keep children safe.

“If they were going to take it off the shelf, they should have done it two years ago before it got to this point,” he said.

Oboyle: Lawmakers Should Study Kratom

In regards to public safety, Oboyle said, “The real thing that should be regulated is not THCA and hemp — it’s kratom. Kratom is an opioid antagonist. You get sick when you get off of it, just like opiates, and it’s been on the shelf for 15 years in Texas, and no one has said anything. And it will ruin your organs over time. You can take hemp every day, and all it will do is better your health. Don’t take away a plant that can help everybody here, and start looking at the things that matter like regulating kratom.”

Oboyle speaks on kratom from personal experience, as he tried it to help alleviate past struggles with opiate and heroin addiction. He said he tried kratom with the assumption it would curb his withdrawals but said it had the same addicting effects. However, he credits CBD for helping him stay sober.

“There’s a lot of people in the sober community that have a lack of education that are being told that CBD is not something you can do being in recovery from hard drugs, and it just couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said. “There are certain people who get out of addiction, and they can stay clean. But there’s certain things that happen to your brain during addiction that you can’t fix on your own, and prescriptions from doctors are only going to make it worse. Elderberry gummies and full-spectrum tinctures are cornerstones to recovery. They help you process through your emotions.”

Another common misconception, according to Oboyle, is that recreational hemp use is mostly limited to people ages 18-35.

“Our average customer is like 55 to 60 years old, and we have a ton of people in their 80s who come in once a week, and the reason is mostly for sleep, aches and pains,” he said. “It’s so much fun watching an 84-year-old woman come in and buy a bottle of full spectrum gummies and a quarter of THCA flower. They’re happy, and they’re jovial. They’re thankful.”

‘CBD Gave Me My Life Back’

Written by Rachel Nelson on October 8, 2024. Posted in Health.

Inspirational Speaker Elizabeth Meigs Thrives Post-Brain Injury

Elizabeth Meigs said she didn’t know what cannabidiol (CBD) oil was in 2019, but a friend’s Facebook post piqued her interest.

“One of my friends had cystic fibrosis, and she doesn’t like to get on elevators because she’s claustrophobic,” Meigs said. “She had to walk up five flights of stairs to get to her doctor’s office, but after using CBD oil, she said she wasn’t out of breath.”

In 2000, at the age of 14, Meigs suffered a life-altering accident that left her with brain damage. After seeing how her friend benefitted from CBD oil, Meigs began researching the benefits it might offer for people who have suffered strokes and brain injuries.

Although she notes that CBD oil is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, Miegs said many things in her life began to improve after she started using a CBD tincture. In addition to being packed with antioxidants, it wasn’t long before she noticed hemp off benefits for:

Sleep. Before CBD, Meigs had trouble sleeping for 19 years. “I was lucky to get maybe two or three hours of unrestful sleep a night,” she said. “I was always taking prescriptions or over-the-counter sleep aids. Then, within two to three days of being on CBD oil, I was sleeping good all night long.”
Pain. Meigs has had five surgeries on her left foot. She first found pain relief with CBD-infused topicals. “Once the CBD oil got into my system and started working on inflammation in my body, I hardly needed anything topical on my foot,” she said.
Hormones. Because she suffers with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Meigs said her menstrual cycles were never regular without the use of birth control. Her periods were also heavy and painful. “After three months of being on CBD oil, I became more regular,” she said. “My periods were regular; they weren’t painful. The part of my brain that controls my hormones was damaged [in the accident]. I was 14, and I was having hot flashes, but within a month of taking CBD oil, I noticed a big improvement.”
Allergies. After her accident, Meigs said she suffered from year-round allergies. “After 30 days on CBD oil, I no longer needed my allergy medication,” she said.
Cholesterol. Because she has a family history of high cholesterol, Meigs was diagnosed with the condition at a young age. She was eventually put on medication to treat it but was able to discontinue her prescriptions after using CBD oil.
Muscle tone and spasms. Before discovering CBD oil, Meigs suffered from increased muscle tone that was treated with Botox. Additionally, muscle spasms required treatment with high-power muscle relaxers. “After two to three months of using CBD, I no longer require Botox injections, and I don’t even require all of the muscle relaxers I’m prescribed,” she said.

Because she was so impressed with how CBD oil improved her life, Meigs began sharing the inflammation-fighting, antioxidant-rich remedy with others and realized its benefits for anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure.

For example, Meigs said she coached a woman named Barbara who could not make a fist with her hands for more than four years. After one week of using CBD topical and sublingual products, she noticed improvements in pain and dexterity.

Meigs said, “After one month of the products, she looked up at me making a fist with both hands and saying, ‘Beth you are my angel. I never dreamed I’d be able to do my job with no pain and I am, thank you.'”

When it comes to hemp, Meigs said, “so many people don’t have the facts.”

“Many of the illnesses we suffer with today are a result of increased inflammation within our bodies,” Meigs said. “Our cows and chickens used to graze to hemp, so we used to get it through that in our diets. Every mammal has an endocannabinoid system. God created this plant and created us to require it. It’s how we can help regulate our bodies naturally. It helps regulate the source of the issue instead of putting a Band-Aid on it and just helping the symptoms.”

A life changed forever

Before her accident, Meigs gained success as a singer and songwriter.

“I had been singing and songwriting for half my life,” she said, adding that a teacher arranged a recording studio session for her during her eighth-grade year.

“I was going to move to Nashville to pursue a career in country music right after high school,” she said.

The day of her accident, Meigs said paramedics had to bring her back to life several times. For the next 24 to 48 hours, she clung to life. She pulled through but faced an extensive rehabilitation journey.

“Once I was back in school, that was the most difficult,” she said. “My friends came and visited me back in the hospital, but once back in school their lives went on, and I was an invisible nobody. That was devastating. I would come home from school and tell my parents that I wish I had died. One day, I found myself on my knees asking God why he did this to me.”

According to Meigs, she felt a voice in her heart saying, “I have a plan for you. You can’t stop. You have to keep going.”

“I knew at that moment God didn’t do this to me — this was a worldly circumstance. I knew he was going to pull me out of the darkness. I didn’t know how, and I didn’t know when, but I couldn’t give up.”

From there, Meigs said she went to bed with a grateful heart each night. She began singing and performing again. She acknowledged that her voice wasn’t what it was before, “but it was still beautiful,” she said.

“People would see the one thing I was good at on stage, and that was the only time people weren’t judging me. That’s why those passions that you have — those are so important to get you through the tough times.”

A mission to inspire

Meigs graduated high school with her class and earned an associate’s degree in occupational therapy.

When I walked into the first patient’s room who had a stroke, and when I told them my story, it gave them a lot of hope,” Meigs said. “Every single patient would hug me at the end and thank me and tell me they couldn’t have gotten through their situation without me. That’s when I saw the power behind my story.”

She subsequently moved to Waco and attended a two-day speaking seminar in Dallas, which reinforced what she felt was her life’s purpose — to start a business as an inspirational speaker and transformational coach. She soon found her place in a church with a Celebrate Recovery group where she received more confirmation that others could benefit from her story.

“I found community and made friends for the first time in 17 years,” she said. “I knew I was right where I needed to be.”

Fast-forward to 2024, and Meigs offers coaching services and teaching strategies she developed while recovering from her accident. She also fulfills public speaking engagements and coaches clients on CBD oil so they can get the best benefits.

Meigs also contributed a chapter to a recently published book titled “Women Who Lead: Inspirational Stories and Influence of Female Leaders.” Learn more about Meigs’ journey, and book her services at elizabethinspires.com.

Tejas Tonic: 3 Flavors of Unlimited Enjoyment

Written by Rachel Nelson on October 1, 2024. Posted in News.

After receiving a positive response from customers on its inaugural lime-flavored beverage, Tejas Tonic released two more varieties: Agarita Berry and Frio Mango.

The agarita berry grows on a shrub commonly found in the Texas Hill Country. Fragrant, yellow blooms appear on the plant during spring, followed by a bright red berry often used for making jelly and wine.

The agarita berry offers a mostly tart flavor, and according to the blog Foraging Texas, it offers medicinal applications. Agaritas are said to relieve nausea, aid with digestion and help boost immunity.

Frio mango is the latest refreshing flavor offered by Tejas Tonic and is a homage to South Texas — the only part of the state with a climate suitable for growing mangos.

Emerging as Tejas Tonic’s entry into the “exotic” flavor category, Frio Mango is also a tip of the hat to Texas’ own Frio River. There’s nothing more exotic in Texas than the Frio River, right?

While many options are popping up in the hemp beverage space, here are four reasons to enjoy Tejas Tonic.

4 Reasons to Enjoy Tejas Tonic

1. It’s all-natural.

Aaron Owens, founder of Tejas Hemp and Tejas Tonic, believes in keeping his products natural and never uses synthetic methods. In its marketing for Tejas Tonic, the company emphasizes, “It hasn’t left our sight since the plants came out of the ground.”

Tejas does, in fact, grow its hemp for Tejas Tonic locally in Dripping Springs and Luchenbach, remaining one of (if not the only) Texas beverage to grow their own — and here in Texas at that.

2. It’s terp-boosted.

Terpenes, known as terps, are compounds in certain plants that give them distinct aromas and flavors. In cannabis plants, each strain has a unique terpene profile, and each terpene is said to offer certain benefits (such as reducing anxiety or improving focus).

3. It won’t give you a hangover.

One of the biggest benefits of hemp beverages is that partakers won’t suffer undesirable after-effects. As hemp-infused drinks become more widely available, many people are opting for them over a night of boozing.

4. It’s convenient to get.

Tejas Tonic is available in over 700 locations in Texas alone. Visit tejastonic.com/finder to find a location near you.

Wyatt Purp: The Brand Changing Texas Cannabis landscape

Written by Rachel Nelson on June 27, 2024. Posted in Business. 1 Comment on Wyatt Purp: The Brand Changing Texas Cannabis landscape

(Story Originally written Jan 16th 2023 but was withheld by Wyatt Purp Legal Council)

Longtime friends Wyatt Larew and Dustin Ragon started their cannabis brand, Wyatt Purp. The business name stems from their cannabis oil that turns purple when it oxidizes. It’s also a play on Wyatt Earp, the American lawman and gambler who is portrayed in the classic movie “Tombstone.”

Ragon plays a behind-the-scenes operational role, while Larew is the dynamic face of the company. The pair call themselves complete opposites, but they complement each other nonetheless.

“I can’t do what he does, and he can’t do what I do,” Ragon said. “So it’s kind of like a perfect match.”

Upon receiving Texas hemp producer license No. 413 in 2020, Larew said he was determined to remain compliant with state laws. Originally, Ragon and Larew set out to manufacture delta 8 and other synthetic isomers but changed their minds after speaking with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

“When you manufacture a drug, whether it’s delta 9 or delta 8 or any other synthetic isomer, you’re manufacturing a drug that replicates or is just like marijuana, and the intent behind that is that you manufactured a schedule 1 drug,” Larew said.

Larew said he went on to create a cutting-edge THC delivery system using recycled waste from hemp operations.

“Every single person who makes CBD isolate has a byproduct of waste called mother liquor, and they throw it away,” Larew said. “I took their waste and turned it into natural THC. I found a way to isolate THC for $50 for 1 million milligrams. I took the same mother liquor and made 90% distillate so that I can make a much stronger product. When I started this, it was considered trash, and facilities would pay you to just haul off their waste. Now, they sell it. I completely changed the whole industry. This is the greatest up-cycle in human history.”

Larew calls his THC isolation technique multi-billion dollar technology but also says corporations have ignored it.

“They want to keep their monopoly [on synthetic THC], and they don’t want to produce quality products at a lower price,” he said.

Larew said he has concerns surrounding the production of synthetic products because the customer never knows who is making them or the equipment used.

A growing brand

Wyatt Purp’s products are sold in more than 100 Dallas-area shops, and the company also white labels products for Planet K stores.

“My company is always going to produce the best products,” Larew said. “I’ve won multiple awards for my edibles. My gummies are stronger than any marijuana gummy. They include all of your minor cannabinoids. That’s all I do is take the waste and remove the CBD, so you have an entourage effect.”

Wyatt Purp’s owners say they strive to cultivate long-term business relationships by providing premium products at competitive prices. The company also has a loyalty program that shoppers can sign up for on its website, wyattpurp.com. Every dollar spent equates to one point, and after earning 100 points, customers receive a coupon for 50% off all store products.

The flower of life

Larew said he had a near-death experience (NDE) related to a chronic kidney condition in 2019. During the phenomenon, he said he was given a glimpse into what’s next, as well as the notion that every plant is a conscious being like humans.

“I believe cannabis is a spirit, not just a plant,” Larew said. “That’s why there is so much karmic justice associated with it, and those that exploit it are never going to make it because they don’t realize what they’re messing with. During my NDE, I saw that cannabis was a really spiritual, powerful entity. It wasn’t like all of the other plants — it represents something like mother.”

While some may feel skeptical about Larue’s brush with the after-world, he says he has full faith in everything he saw and experienced. He calls cannabis “the flower of life” and believes humans were created through intelligent design to have and use it.

“Every mammal has an endocannabinoid system,” Larew said. “Whether you’ve ever used cannabis or not, you have it in your DNA. It controls your central nervous system and immune system. It’s part of what makes a Homosapien.”

Hate from the state

Larew has been vocal about his critical attitude toward state hemp and cannabis laws.

“The state just banned anyone in Texas from producing smokable hemp products in 2022,” he said. “We can still sell the products, just not from the farmers that are here.”

Additionally, Texas just opened a business license application period that will add more dispensaries to the state’s limited medical marijuana program. Requirements include a $7,500 non-refundable application fee as well as $10 million in liquid assets.

“The delta 8 and hemp thing in Texas was just a soft release of cannabis to get the people here to accept it. This was their incremental way of wedging their way in,” he said. “Now, they want to sell licenses to pharmaceutical companies and not allow anyone else to be part of it. The state wants to have a monopoly on cannabis productions.”

Larew points out that the state police are in charge of Texas’ medical marijuana program, which he calls obvious government corruption.

“They’re arresting people for using a schedule 1 drug that they say has no medical use,” Larew said. “They’re saying, ‘Unless you buy our drugs, it’s illegal.’”

A parting gift

As a result of his kidney condition, Larew said he has endured 15 life-saving surgeries in the past five years. Because he has a donor kidney that only matches three out of six genetic markers, he said he does not expect to live a long life.

“This is a patch, so this is my gift to everybody else,” he said. “I just know I was born for this. I know everything there is to know about cannabis. I’m a grower, and I have a spiritual connection to the plant.”

In the future, Larew believes that his technology will be accepted in industrial farming.

“We are just trying to bring natural safe cannabis options to the masses for a fraction of the cost of the government’s pay-to-play scam. It’s completely possible.”

Ragon echoes that sentiment and views Wyatt Purp as a way to provide a needed service for humanity.

“My mission is just to spread this medicine as far and wide as possible and get access to as many people as possible no matter what your income level is,” Ragon said.

Anthocyanins: Nature’s Antioxidant is Also Found in Hemp

Written by Rachel Nelson on March 28, 2024. Posted in Cannabis News.

Texas A&M Student MJ Clay Takes a Closer Look at This Pigment-Producing Compound

By Rachel Nelson

College is a place where students prepare for future careers while transitioning into full-blown adulthood. For MJ Clay, it’s a time to conduct groundbreaking hemp research and help pioneer one of the first-of-its-kind university cannabis clubs — the Cannabis Hemp Innovation League (CHIL).

Clay is a horticulture science and plant environmental science major at Texas A&M University, While she has completed a variety of work at the school’s Industrial Hemp Breeding Program, Clay said she has taken a special liking to trichomes — the part of the plant responsible for producing cannabinoids and terpenes.

According to Clay, trichomes can also contain anthocyanins, or naturally occurring pigments that create red and purple hues. Anthocyanins give foods like blueberries and raspberries their color, she said.

“When we’re learning about his plant, it’s as useful as the vegetables and fruits that we eat in our daily meals. I love how interconnected nature is. It’s quite beautiful, really. But [anthocyanins also have] incredible health benefits for humans,” Clay said, citing their antioxidant and antiviral properties.

“There’s actually some arguments about whether or not higher anthocyanins could take away from either terpenes, which are the smells, or cannabinoids like CBD or THC,” Clay said. “So we just need more research, but that’s why the Industrial Hemp Breeding Program is here.”

Currently, Clay is working with private companies on an inbreeding project focused on creating uniform cannabis similar to how rows of corn grow.

“So then we could do field seeding, and your crops would all look the same,” she said. “We’re also trying to select for the plants that have higher anthocyanins, not only because it has a great benefit to the users but it also gives the plants some tolerance to heat and drought.”

Clay said that although she works in controlled environments, part of her research includes stressing plants out by heating the room to 99 degrees at times.

“The plant really shows you a lot of different genetic traits that we didn’t know were possible,” Clay said. “If a plant is able to bounce back more readily than another, we know that plant is going to do better in field conditions in Texas, so whenever we find a plant that’s just resilient, we want to continue those genetics.”

Clay presented some of her research at the second annual Texas Hemp Summit at Texas A&M University in December. The summit is organized by the Texas Hemp Coalition, an advocacy and educational nonprofit. Clay and her counterparts from CHIL were also part of the inaugural Texas Hemp Summit in 2022.

“it was really rewarding because we were just kind of introducing the club,” she said. “Coming back the second time around at the summit and seeing so many familiar faces and so many people just supporting the work we’re doing at A&M — It’s really rewarding. Having one of the first cannabis clubs at a university has been quite a feat for us. We’re very proud of what we do, and we’re just hoping to continue growing our organization.”

Cannabis Meets Fine Dining

Written by Rachel Nelson on February 5, 2024. Posted in Cannabis News.

Chef Tavis Petersen Tours the U.S. Serving Infused Dinners at Luxury Air BnBs

Travis Petersen was a long-time professional in the oil and gas industry when his love of the culinary arts led him to sign up for a show called Masterchef Canada. He appeared in two episodes in 2016.

“I had fun with that,” he said.

Around that time, oil and gas hit a recession, and Petersen was laid off from his job. However, he received a severance package that allowed him to kick off a new career in cooking. He began doing chef popups, cooking lessons and meal prepping until October 2018, when his home country of Canada federally legalized cannabis for recreational use.

That’s when Petersen hosted his first cannabis-infused pop-up dinner. He converted his house into a restaurant and served 150 people in four days. Since then, Petersen has served more than 15,000 people their first cannabis-infused meal, with 900 of those guests being first-time cannabis users.

“A dinner party is a perfect introduction for people,” Petersen said. “If you were ever going to try cannabis, our dinner parties are the best way.”

Safety is paramount to Petersen, and guests are dosed individually based on their tolerance level.

“We don’t want to give people too much or not enough,” he said. “It’s about hitting that perfect medium and utilizing the terpenes to mold the experience they’re about to have. Everything is full spectrum, so we’re not using isolates.”

Launching Nomadic Nights in The US

In 2021, Petersen relocated to Arizona, where he launched his latest business endeavor — Nomadic Nights. He travels around the U.S. hosting infused popup dinners in 29 cities where recreational cannabis use is legal.

“I rent luxury Air BnBs and turn them into little popup restaurants,” he said. “It provides a dinner party experience for all the guests.”

Guests have been known to enjoy menu items like 72-hour short ribs with a miso glaze and infused kimchi, or a mini croissant dessert cereal with infused matcha milk.

“What’s really cool is we’ll have anywhere from 20 to 40 people at the dinners, and they’re all strangers sitting around the table,” Petersen said. “Looking at them, one might think, ‘Oh, those people have nothing in common.’ But at the end of the night, they’re exchanging numbers, they’re friends, and they’re planning to see each other again.”

Petersen said that although he didn’t originally set out to be a cannabis chef, watching these special connections unfold is what inspired him to take the idea full-time. He even published a cookbook titled “Introduction to Culinary Cannabis” that is available for purchase at www.thenomadcook.com/shop.

“I thought this was going to be a niche fad,” he said. “The average age of my guests is 39, and they are 60% female. I couldn’t have been any more wrong about what the clientele was going to be, and that this is an actual cuisine that is here to stay.”

A Dedication to Safety

In 2020, Petersen launched the first recognized Culinary Cannabis Certificate for Safety and Responsibility in Canada, which he said received a great deal of positive media attention.

According to Petersen, people too often Google, “How do I make weed brownies?” Then, they make recipes that do not provide the correct dosing information, which can lead to bad experiences.

Properly dosing cannabis-infused dishes is an art Petersen hopes to share with others. This year, he is turning his certification course into an online master class that will launch on April 20. Through it, he will teach the methods, equipment and fundamentals necessary to serve infused meals safely and responsibly.

“The ultimate goal of what I’m trying to achieve is that I want the next generation of chefs to be able to do this in a restaurant,” he said.

Last year, Nomadic Nights hosted 102 dinners in 11 months, and their calendar is filling up for 2024 as well. All dates and locations are announced on Petersen’s Instagram, @the_nomadcook.

Meet The High Flyers Club

Written by Rachel Nelson on January 31, 2024. Posted in Pop Culture.

The thriving Austin comedy scene has a new place for stoner comedians to gather and share jokes.

Comweedians Open Mic Cannabis Comedy Show takes place every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. at The Yard TSC, located at 523 Thompson Ln. Comedians can sign up to perform three-minute sets starting at 7 p.m. The event is 420-friendly, and prizes are given for the night’s best joke.

The weekly event kicked off on Jan. 17. Chris “2Stoned” Adams, event coordinator for the venue, said the premiere event was well-attended despite cold weather.

“Most comedians were new to Austin,” he said. “We want to be the spot where, if downtown spots are booked and busy, they can come here.”

In addition, the owner of The Yard TSC launched a community called High Flyers Club. Visit 420highflyersclub.com to join an 8.3k-member private Facebook group that provides event information, cannabis-themed giveaways, as well as a safe space to post 420-themed topics.

Adams said The Yard TSC began hosting events in 2023. In addition to the new comedy series, they have sports watch parties, movie nights, vendor markets and more. One of The Yard TSC’s most unique offerings is its recurring “Head in da Clouds” Mic Drop event. For $50, artists and bands can do a one- to three-minute performance, which is filmed by staff. Lights and smoke machines are provided, and performances are edited and mixed by in-house engineers and directors. Artists receive a digital copy of the performance for promotional purposes, and they also air on High Flyers Club’s YouTube and Instagram channels.

The Yard TSC is nestled behind the Texas Smoke Connection smoke shop, which is open daily from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Follow @theyardtsc on Instagram to stay up-to-date on future events.

Upcoming events at The Yard TSC in Austin

Every Wednesday Comweedians Open Mic Cannabis Comedy Show, 8 – 10 p.m.
February 3 Cartoons and Cereal Wake & Bake Party, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
February 3 Indoor Popup Market, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Join High Flyers Club
Instagram @420highflyersclub
Youtube.com/@highflyersclub
Facebook.com/groups/420highflyersclub

THCa Continues to Make Waves in The Texas Cannabis Landscape

Written by Rachel Nelson on January 29, 2024. Posted in Business, Cannabis News.

THCa, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinoilic acid, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is the precursor to the well-known psychoactive cannabinoid, THC. Through a process called decarboxylation, THCa converts to THC.

According to Wyatt Larew, founder of the Dallas-based cannabis brand Wyatt Purp, decarboxylation happens when the plant is exposed to light, heat and death.

“The scientific definition of THCa is conventional cannabis that has not converted into THC yet,” he said.

When live plants are tested, Larew said the THC content will be higher in the same plant four to six weeks post-harvest.

“That’s because decomposition is decarboxylation,” he said.

According to Larew, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency deems THCa flower legally compliant hemp flower because testing takes place before decarboxylation occurs.

“All THCa flower is federally legal cannabis. There’s no difference in it other than the time of the testing,” Larew said. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t regulate finished goods, and everything is done with a full chain of custody from the farm to the package. The testing was done while it was like that.”

By this logic, Larew says all cannabis is technically federally legal.

“This has been legal since 2018, which means that every single cannabis arrest since 2018 is based off of constitutional fraud,” he said.

According to Larew, it gets dicey when Texas’ state crime labs test products that were purchased as legal THCa because they could have since decarboxylated through the natural decomposition process. He also said a common testing method called gas chromatography uses heat, which also causes decarboxylation.

In a Feb. 14, 2023, letter regarding the legal status of THCa in smokable hemp, Rod Kight of Kight Law Group LLP acknowledges that there are dozens of forms of the THC molecule, including THCa, but only delta-9 THC is used to determine whether harvested hemp and hemp products are lawful under federal law.

“The quantity and concentration of other THC isomers, and other cannabinoids and forms of THC, including THCa, are totally irrelevant with respect to the legal status of harvested hemp and hemp products,” the letter states.

Unlocking THCa’s Health Benefits

While THCa does not offer psychoactive effects, it has been shown to offer some health benefits. According to Cresco Labs, one of the largest publicly traded, vertically integrated multistate cannabis companies in the U.S., THCa is beneficial for relieving inflammation and pain and is an ideal cannabinoid for relieving the symptoms of arthritis and seizures. It’s also an effective neuroprotectant, they say, making it beneficial for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Because of decarboxylation, however, users must consume the plant in a certain way to reap the health benefits of THCa. When smoking cannabis, the heat converts THCa into THC, so it’s best to grind fresh flower into something edible.

Arbors Wellness, a Michigan-based medical marijuana provisioning center, recommends sourcing a freshly made THCa extract or adding ground bud into a smoothie along with other superfoods like kale or avocado.

“Some people even juice fresh palm leaves and sugar leaves right after harvest, but make sure your grower isn’t using chemical pesticides if you’re planning this,” the Arbors Wellness blog states.

Building an Empire with THCa

Wyatt Purp has become a major player in the THCa landscape, and Larew said the company has experienced a 10,000% annual year-over-year growth rate since 2021. Up to this point, Larew has shipped his THCa flower to customers nationwide through his e-commerce store. However, he said a Wyatt Purp retail store is coming in the next couple of months.

“We don’t have a location decided yet, but I’m just getting my ducks in a row and waiting to pull the trigger,” he said.

Larew said his stores will not offer the typical smoke shop experience but will operate more like cannabis dispensaries in legal states. The locations will not sell nicotine products, and patrons will first check-in in a waiting room before going to the back to select natural THCa flower from the menu.

Larew said he plans to open multiple Wyatt Purp stores, with the flagship brick-and-mortar location planned for Dallas.

Sweet Sensi’s 3rd Annual Texas Hemp Harvest

Written by Rachel Nelson on December 1, 2023. Posted in Events.

Festival Brings an Elevated Cannabis Experience to Austin
On Nov. 3-4, the aroma of hemp and jerk chicken filled Distribution Hall in East Austin.

Sweet Sensi’s Third Annual Texas Hemp Harvest Festival featured two days of live music,

Jamaican cuisine from Winston’s Kitchen and meaningful connections.

The event hosted an impressive lineup of reggae bands, from Austin’s Mau Mau Chaplains to national acts Passafire and 10 Ft. Ganja Plant. Greg Autry, owner of Sweet Sensi CBD, curates the bands based on his own playlist. He was especially enthusiastic about bringing Josh Heinrichs & SkillinJah to the event.

“The amount of enthusiasm that goes into their shows is just ridiculous,” Autry told the Texas Hemp Show Podcast on Episode 148. “These guys are just on fire when they’re on stage.”

The two-day festival also gave small businesses a chance to promote their products — everything from decorative straw hats and tie-dyed overalls to hemp-infused seltzers and honey.

“We’re doing this for the industry,” said Autry, who organizes the event with is wife, Tracy. “That’s why we started it was to bring attention to cannabis and the hemp industry.”

A gift basket raffle also took place with proceeds benefitting two local charities — Mobile Loves and Fishes and Forney Memorial VFW.

Although the event just wrapped, plans are underway for next year’s festival.

“We’re already thinking about next year,” Autry said. “We have some really big possibilities coming up. We’ve been invited by some local municipalities to apply or put our name forward for a huge venue in town. So, we’ll see what happens with that. We don’t know for sure yet. We’ve got our feelers out for bands that are bigger than what we’ve had.”

Visit texashempharvestfestival.com to stay updated on future events, and check out The Texas Hemp Show Podcast’s live stream from the 2023 festival at youtube.com/@texashempshow.

Does The Hangover Blocker by Sweet Sensi actually work?

Written by Rachel Nelson on July 31, 2023. Posted in Health.

As the years go by, I find myself drinking less and less because the hangovers keep getting worse and worse. But every once in a while, it would be nice to indulge in a fun night out without having to suffer the brutal consequences.

This is exactly the problem Sweet Sensi’s new product solves. The Hangover Blocker is comprised of prickly pear, CBD and B12. I have heard that prickly pear is a magic hangover cure, but I brushed it off as an old wives’ tale. With Sweet Sensi’s new product hitting the market, I finally had the chance to find out for myself.

It was a typical Saturday night, and I decided I wanted to go out and unwind with some drinks. I took the four capsules that make up The Hangover Blocker with 16 ounces of water as the package directs. The directions also advise taking the pills two hours before drinking, but I only waited one hour.

I wanted to put The Hangover Blocker to a true test, so I didn’t hold back. I had beers. Then, I had shots of tequila and whiskey followed by more beers. I indulged in what would normally result in two days of misery. But not this time.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt hungover at first. But the symptoms quickly faded. The next thing I knew, I was out enjoying brunch and a Bloody Mary at Bouldin Acres In Austin. Based on past experience, I would have without a doubt spent the day in bed if it weren’t for The Hangover Blocker.

Needless to say, Sunday Funday got a little carried away, and the drinks kept flowing. When I got home that night, I took another package of The Hangover Blocker hoping it would save me. On Monday morning, I arrived at my office at 8 a.m. with a smile on my face and no hangover.

I 10/10 recommend this product. Visit sweetsensiwellness.com to try it for yourself.

2 Brands of Blue Gummies Everyone Must Try

Written by Rachel Nelson on May 21, 2023. Posted in CBD News & Business.

When it comes to covering hemp and cannabis in Texas, testing out new products is a perk of the job. Recently, I indulged in two brands of gummies that I highly recommend. Coincidentally, they’ll both turn your tongue blue.

1. OnlyDank’s Forbidden Fruit Gummies

During the SXSW music festival in Austin, I ran into Albert, Founder and CEO of OnlyDank. OnlyDank boasts a collection of branded merch — including rolling trays, grinders and hats. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this growing brand recently added edibles to its sleek product catalog.

The Forbidden Fruit gummies by OnlyDank not only taste great, but they also reflect the quality the brand stands by. They are organic, vegan and manufactured through a solventless extraction process. They are also made in a Kosher Certified Facility.

The first time I indulged in one of these 10mg Delta 9 THC gummies, I noticed that it was fast-acting. I took it right before bed, and it quickly brought me to a mellow, contemplative place. While my mind was moving in an analytical way, I felt euphoric and not the least bit anxious as I dozed off into a tranquil slumber.

Based on my experience, I highly recommend heading to onlydankofficial.com to make a purchase.

2. Blue Buzzberry Gummies from Buck’A Buzz

It was through Texas Hemp Show’s recent partnership with Weed and Whisey TV that I discovered the Buck’A Buzz gummies. Jerry “J-Man” Joyner, the streaming platform’s frontman, is involved in the venture and gave me a pack to try.

I have to give this brand an A+ on its marketing. For one, the packaging is colorful and attention-grabbing. Furthermore, a 5-pack of 10mg Delta 9 THC gummies costs $5 (hence the name “Buck’A Buzz”).

Yes, the concept is amusing, but the effects are no joke. When I took a Buck’A Buzz, I found the experience to be rather uplifting. For the next few hours, I felt chatty and upbeat.

If you want a gummy that will provide a quality sesh for yourself and four friends at a value, Buck’A Buzz is for you. Find them at buckabuzz.com.