Texas Hemp Shops Celebrate Temporary Reprieve After Court Halts Smokable THC Ban

A judge's temporary restraining order gives retailers relief after they were forced to pull up to half their inventory and furlough staff.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:09am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a display of premium hemp flower buds, pre-rolled joints, and other hemp-derived products arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract concepts of regulation, legality, and consumer demand in the hemp industry.As Texas hemp retailers navigate the legal and regulatory landscape, a carefully curated display of their products symbolizes the industry's ongoing fight for stability and consumer access.Dallas Today

Texas hemp retailers are getting temporary relief after a judge blocked the state's new ban on smokable THC products, a rule that shop owners say threatened to wipe out large portions of their business. Shops across the state began restocking shelves almost immediately after the ruling came down on Friday, with employees and customers expressing relief and excitement at the temporary reprieve.

Why it matters

The temporary restraining order halts enforcement of the new rules for at least two weeks while a lawsuit filed by hemp businesses moves forward. Retailers say the ban forced them to pull 30-50% of their inventory, including some of their top-selling products, and furlough more than half their staff during the uncertainty.

The details

At Emerald Organics in Fort Worth, staff said customers started returning within hours of the ruling. 'I'm just relieved. It has been such a stressful situation for all of us,' said employee Lydia Hendricks. 'Seeing all of my favorite customers come back... I'm ecstatic.' The owner of Emerald Organics said she furloughed more than half her staff during the uncertainty. Employees described the last week as emotionally draining, with one worker saying, 'It's so scary wondering: Am I going to have a job next week?'

  • The temporary restraining order halts enforcement of the new rules for at least two weeks.
  • A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for April 23.

The players

Emerald Organics

A hemp retailer in Fort Worth, Texas.

Lydia Hendricks

An employee at Emerald Organics.

The Weed Spot

A hemp retailer in Dallas' Bishop Arts District.

Jabarri Watson

The general manager of The Weed Spot.

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What they’re saying

“About 30% of our inventory had to go to storage.”

— Jabarri Watson, General Manager

“People use cannabis for sleep, pain relief – a bunch of different things.”

— Jabarri Watson, General Manager

What’s next

A hearing on the lawsuit filed by hemp businesses is scheduled for April 23.

The takeaway

This temporary reprieve for Texas hemp retailers highlights the ongoing tensions and uncertainty surrounding the regulation of the hemp and cannabis industries. While the court's decision provides immediate relief, the long-term future of smokable THC products in the state remains unclear as the legal battle continues.