Central Texas THC stores navigate potential THC ban as Gov. Abbott hints at third special session

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - THC stores in Central Texas navigate the uncertainty of their industry after Gov. Abbott hints at a possible third attempt to introduce regulation.

Abbott vetoed SB 3, which would’ve banned THC in Texas. The second attempt to pass the bill in the latest special session resulted in no action from the House.

The Gass Shack in Waco, Texas has been adapting to the uncertainty of their main products future.

“Definitely been a roller coaster of emotions between us and the team,” The Gass Shack’s regional manager Michael Busby said.

The store has been forced to navigate the passage of SB 2024 which banned disposable vapes in Texas. They pivoted to vape products that have to be refilled by the user instead of prefilled by the manufacturer.

CenTex CBD, which had a location in Belton, closed off three stores. The owner, Judy Korrigan, said she didn’t feel safe keeping them open.

“For me, I’m at an age where I don’t wanna go to jail,” Korrigan said. “Even if they arrest me and they’re mistake or they raid my store and they’re mistaken. That’s happened to so many places and that’s not something I wanna go through.”

She has moved some of her product to an online storefront.

Gov. Greg Abbott has hinted at a possible third special session to address the THC issue.

“I would say ‘stay tuned’ on that,” Abbott said. “Something may be happening soon.”

District 55 Representative Pat Curry said Abbott will have to work with Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick to find a compromise between regulation and elimination.

“If there is a way for him to put some guardrails that he and lieutenant governor and the speaker can agree upon then I would think he would likely do that.”

In the meantime, the Gass Shack plans to sell its product for as long as possible.

“We all gotta ban together and fight for what we like,” Busby said.

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