Trending Now - Texas Judge Halts Enforcement of Smokable Hemp Ban Amid Lawsuit

WHO:

KUT - Travis County Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued the temporary restraining order.

KUT - The lawsuit was filed by a coalition including the Texas Hemp Business Council and the Hemp Industry & Farmers of America.

Marijuana Moment - Jason Snell, attorney for the plaintiffs, and Zachary Berg, lawyer for the state, were involved in the hearing.

Marijuana Moment - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.

WHAT:

KUT - A temporary restraining order was granted to block enforcement of new state rules banning the sale of smokable hemp products.

KUT - The new rules, which took effect on March 31, 2026, included a change in how THC levels are calculated, effectively prohibiting smokable hemp products.

KUT - The annual fees for hemp retailers increased from $150 to $5,000 per location, and for manufacturers from $250 to $10,000 per facility.

Marijuana Moment - The restraining order pauses the new restrictions for 14 days while the legal dispute is considered.

Marijuana Moment - The lawsuit challenges the legality of the new rules and the significant increases in business licensing fees.

WHERE:

KUT - The ruling was made in Travis County, Texas.

KUT - More than 13,000 stores are registered to sell hemp products in Texas.

WHEN:

KUT - The temporary restraining order was granted on April 7th, 2026.

KUT - A hearing on the temporary injunction is scheduled for April 23rd, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Marijuana Moment - The new rules took effect on March 31st, 2026.

WHY:

KUT - The lawsuit claims that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) exceeded its authority and adopted rules that would force hundreds of businesses to close.

Marijuana Moment - The plaintiffs argue that the new restrictions are illegal and represent an overreach of regulatory authority, as they bypassed legislative processes.

HOW:

KUT - The DSHS regulations introduced a new "total THC" formula that includes tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in the calculation.

Marijuana Moment - The lawsuit seeks both temporary and permanent injunctive relief against the new rules and fees.

(UPDATED April 11, 2026 05:26 UTC)

A temporary restraining order was granted on Tuesday, in Travis County, Texas, blocking the enforcement of new state rules that banned the sale of smokable hemp products. The lawsuit, filed by a coalition that includes the Texas Hemp Business Council and the Hemp Industry & Farmers of America, argues that the Department of State Health Services exceeded its authority and imposed significant increases in business licensing fees that could force many retailers to close. A hearing on the temporary injunction is scheduled for April 23rd, as the legal dispute continues to unfold.