Nathan Bernier

@SassytxSonia This is a great question. I tried to write a story about it. kut.org/business/2026-…

@KUTnathan Are out-of-state companies selling online into Texas going to be addressed as well, or will licensing mainly impact small businesses owned by Texans? This doesn’t seem like a fair approach.

BREAKING: Smokable hemp products can be sold again in Texas for now. A Travis County judge just granted a temporary restraining order against some of the new hemp regulations that took effect March 31. The order leaves in place sharply higher annual fees for businesses.

Story kut.org/business/2026-…

The temporary restraining order remains in effect for two weeks. A hearing on a possible longer-term suspension of the state's hemp rules (known as a temporary injunction) is set for April 23 at 9 a.m.

@Julez_TrueCrime If so, the business is facing massive financial risk in the form of fines that rapidly escalate or having their registration to sell hemp products suspended. We're being honest about this regulation. It's not a law.

@KUTnathan There is plenty of smokeable still on the shelves. Yall need to be honest about this law.

Texas hemp businesses hope a Travis County judge issues a temporary restraining order allowing smokable cannabis to be sold as soon as this weekend. The hearing is on Friday. More about the lawsuit: kut.org/business/2026-…

@Sethersk82 Thanks for listening!

@KUTnathan great hemp story on my drive home today. I do appreciate how public radio does a deep dive into something complex that matters to me.

@andrewfromakron Yes, I have much personal experience with this one.

@KUTnathan I think the end of S.1st to 1626 is timed wrong or something. No way the rush hour line should snake back to Akins. It’s infuriating

What is the worst intersection in Austin?

@JMVC_ATX Mostly safety. Other factors may also be considered, though.

@KUTnathan Depends what you mean by "worst." Safety, delay, aesthetics, etc

FOX 7 Focus: Let's talk new hemp and THC regulations in Texas. Texas @LtGovTX Dan Patrick has taken a hardline stance against THC product, including Delta-8 and Delta-9 derived from hemp. He's even called these drugs "poison" to the community. @KUTnathan Bernier joined the FOX 7 Focus to provide some clarity. You can watch the FULL interview on our website. @fox7austin

“Hemp” = the legal term in Texas for cannabis with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. “Marihuana” = the legal term in Texas for cannabis with more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. Both can have lots of THCA which converts to Delta-9 THC when heated or smoked.

Austin police will confiscate hemp flower and concentrate if people don’t have the packaging with them, a senior police official told me. He said they don’t arrest for small amounts of marijuana because they can’t tell if it’s hemp or not.

The Texas Hemp Business Council will file a lawsuit next week on the state's new hemp regulations, Hometown Hero CEO Lukas Gilkey says.

Wish we had something like this at @AustinAirport youtube.com/live/_-Qg5jD-P…

The Texas ban on smokable hemp takes effect today. Can consumers still buy online from out-of-state? State regulators say no. Cannabis attorneys say yes, but acknowledge it's a legal gray area. kut.org/business/2026-…

@HornsTakeover @KUT @katyjmcafee No worries. I've been there.

@KUTnathan @KUT @katyjmcafee You’re right. Sorry that was mean. Rough day.

Water in this Austin suburb comes out brown. KUT’s @katyjmcafee interviewed the guy who put up this sign. kut.org/energy-environ…