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Tag: Ilissa Nolan

The Curious Timing of SB3 and the DSHS Inspections

Written by texashempreporter on . Posted in Legislative. No Comments on The Curious Timing of SB3 and the DSHS Inspections

 
 
The Curious Timing of SB3 and the DSHS Consumable Hemp Program Inspections
Cannonballs at the Alamo (Our Texas Hemp Industry)
 
On February 20, 2025, two significant regulatory shifts are set to take effect in Texas: the release of Senate Bill 3 (SB3) and the initiation of an intensified inspection protocol under the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Consumable Hemp Program. While these developments may seem unrelated at first glance, the coinciding timing of their implementation raises critical questions about their potential connection and underlying intent.
 
The DSHS Consumable Hemp Program Crackdown

Simultaneously, DSHS has announced a wave of inspections targeting consumable hemp manufacturers and retailers. According to an official communication dated February 20, 2025, DSHS has encountered increasing resistance from industry participants regarding inspections. In response, the agency has reaffirmed its authority under Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 431.042, which grants it broad oversight powers, including license revocations and civil penalties up to $25,000 per day.

 
Notably, the inspections will focus on verifying compliance with pre-existing regulations, and businesses refusing to cooperate risk severe penalties. Given that hemp regulations have remained relatively stable over the past few years, the sudden urgency in enforcement—just as SB3 comes into play—suggests more than mere coincidence.
 
Conspiracy to Bully  . . .  an Industry?

The concurrent implementation of SB3 and heightened hemp inspections prompts speculation about whether this is a coordinated effort to reshape the industry landscape. While SB3 introduces new provisions that necessitate increased scrutiny, industry leaders are jumping ship and starting to take sides in the future of the consumable hemp market.

Interestingly enough, today Friday the 21st amidst the industry already noticeably shaken by these two initiatives from Texas authorities; Bayou City Hemp Co. released a flyer in its Capitol visit today agreeing that lawmakers should ban all Smokable Hemp Products.More concerning, is that members of Bayou City Hemp Co. are also part of the Texas Hemp Coalition whose stated goal is to keep these products legal.

 
 

Cracks in the Alamo 

 
When asked If the Texas Hemp Coalition was aware of the position of Bayou City Hemp Co. flyers supporting the Ban on Smokable Hemp Products, Executive Director Ilissa Nolan told the Texas Hemp Reporter today that “Yes I’ve seen it. That is their position. Not THC.”
 

“As an executive board member of the Texas Hemp Coalition, Bayou City Hemp does NOT speak on our behalf nor do we support their efforts to sabotage an entire industry we are all here to protect. An official statement will be made soon.” – Jake Garry stated  in an industry stakeholders forum this afternoon.

 

The Texas Hemp Reporter also tried to reach out to Jeromy Sherman – of Bayou City Hemp Company, Inc. for comment but did not get an answer.

 
It is perhaps in lue of the company’s interest and position in its beverage expansion that it no longer needs to support the flower market. Drink brands from Bayou City Hemp have now collaborated with Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods and its 238 locations  as of March of last year. Now that they are seeking national partners like Total Wine and others it looks like Texas retailers will now have to fend for themselves in the cannon-fire of the 89th Legislature.

While the Alamo (our industry) remains under enemy fire, we might be seeing notable differences in lobby teams’ goals with different opinions and strategies. The Texas Business Council is doing their best to work with members of the house and seems to have a good deal of support from many state Hemp Businesses. The move from Bayou City Hemp Co to take sides on the issue against smokable hemp flower is sudden since, traditionally, its leaders have been board members of the Texas Hemp Coalition. I know all these players as I too was a member of that same Board in 2023!

 
With DSHS Inspections and more bills being filed; the contents of SB3 this week is not a shocker . . .  in that we all knew it was seeking the bidding of Dan Patrick’s goal to ban these products. SB3, is filed, which would create criminal offenses for manufacturing, selling, AND possessing hemp products. The first cannon-balls have been fired and the walls of the Alamo (our industry) has shown some cracks and even division amongst her ranks. However, Mark Bordas, Executive Director of Texas Hemp Business Council has stated before “We are early in this fight. We just need to end up on top.”
 
As the cannon-fire will continue to volley back and forth in the next 100 days of the 89th Texas Legislature in the fight for legal Hemp, you can be sure our team at the Texas Hemp Reporter will be in the thick of its coverage. In the words of Sam Houston “Remember the Alamo”

Russell Dowden
Texas Hemp Reporter
The Texas Hemp Show
ESPN 102.7 FM Sundays at 7AM

3rd Annual Texas Hemp Summit

Written by shayda Torabi on . Posted in Texas Legal & Regulatory News.

 November 1-2, 2024 at Texas A&M University

Texas Hemp Coalition, the premier advocacy group for the hemp industry in Texas, is hosting its third annual B2B industry event, The Texas Hemp Summit, this November 1-2, 2024 at the Texas A&M Agrilife Center in College Station, and you’re invited!

We had such a wonderful time gathering together last year with numerous attendees, panels and panelists & speakers. Our organization is looking forward to an even more impactful summit this time around considering all the exciting movement happening in the industry over the last year.

As such, our event is poised to bring together B2B industry leaders from across Texas and beyond to discuss farming, processing, cannabinoids, fiber, and retail topics concerning hemp operators through educational conversations and presentations.

The goal of the summit is to address trending issues that are directly impacting our state’s hemp operators, as well as be a learning opportunity for those looking to get into the industry and scale.

Anyone who is interested in getting more involved in the industry, launching a brand, scaling their business, or who may be seeking job opportunities is encouraged to attend.

During this event, the Texas Hemp Summit will pack keynote presentations, panel discussions, as well as networking opportunities for attendees to get plugged into the most pressing subjects relevant to their passions, and business interests.

Speakers will be announced soon, so check the website for more details.

Tickets are on sale now for $110 at the Early Bird rate and will increase in price, and the event is FREE to all students with valid student email and student ID.

To learn more about the event, and purchase tickets visit: TexasHempCoalition.org/SUMMIT

If you would like to explore membership opportunities, the Texas Hemp Coalition holds regular meetings to discuss pressing topics and would love to invite you to join us as an official member to help champion and advocate for hemp in Texas TexasHempCoalition.org/MEMBERSHIP

And we are actively looking for sponsors who would like to be a part of supporting the 3rd Annual Texas Hemp Summit so please reach out to our team via the website if you or a business you know may be interested in supporting our event.

 

Episode:33 Ilissa Nolan of the Texas Hemp Coalition

Written by Jesse Williams on . Posted in Podcast.

Russell Dowden and Coleman Hemphill discuss the end of the 87th Legislature and address the bills that did not pass, and what did pass.

ILISSA NOLAN serves as the Executive Director for the Texas Hemp Coalition. Ms. Nolan was one of the few lobbyists that worked to pass HB 1325 which made it legal to grow and process hemp in Texas. She also serves as a government affairs consultant for Booth & Associates P.C. where she works to build policy through stakeholder collaboration and educating clients on cutting edge issues surrounding state and federal environmental matters, especially topics involving agriculture, rural affairs, and environmental issues.