Hemp Shop Owners Turn to Ballot Box to Defeat Dan Patrick

Voter registration tables now occupy the checkout counters of Texas hemp shops. These stores are using the final days of the 2026 election cycle to rally support for Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin against incumbent Dan Patrick.

The conflict centers on state rules that removed high-THC hemp products from shelves. Business owners cite these regulations as the primary reason for their political shift, moving from apathy to active campaigning in support of Goodwin.

Estella Castro, owner of Austinite Cannabis Co. in East Austin, closed two stores this year. She hosted a Goodwin campaign event at her remaining location, telling customers that the upcoming vote is their final chance to stay in business.

Haley Hunt, co-owner of Haus of Jayne in Dripping Springs, identified as a conservative voter who rarely supports Democratic tickets. She and her partner Christy Spanton hosted a campaign stop on their front porch where approximately 50 people gathered. Hunt stated she is considering voting the full Democratic ticket for the first time to stop Patrick’s regulatory push.

Patrick has maintained that he will not legalize marijuana in Texas. He stated in June that if voters wish to remove him from office over that stance, they should do so. His office did not respond to recent interview requests, but he told WFAA in June that he remains focused on closing smoke shops and regulating the industry.

The regulatory changes originated with Governor Greg Abbott’s administration. After Abbott vetoed Patrick’s proposed sweeping ban, his executive order called for stricter rules. State Health and Human Services Commissioner Stephanie Muth approved regulations in March that treat THCA as Delta-9 THC. This effectively banned most smokable hemp products and increased business fees by up to 4,000%.

A Texas Supreme Court ruling later allowed the Department of State Health Services to add broader THC definitions to the Schedule I controlled substances list. This move created legal confusion because the 2019 hemp law explicitly exempted hemp derivatives from such restrictions. Law enforcement agencies across the state are now interpreting these conflicting rules differently, leaving consumers uncertain about the legality of products they recently purchased.

Goodwin, a state representative from Austin, has met with industry leaders throughout the year. She promised to support regulations similar to those for alcohol, including age limits and packaging standards. Sarah Todd, executive director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, called Goodwin an ally to the industry. Goodwin voted against Patrick’s initial ban proposal and supported measures to expand medical cannabis.

Other Democratic candidates are also leveraging the issue. State Rep. Erin Zwiener called for full cannabis legalization in a recent interview. In Williamson County, challenger Chris Jimenez, a Marine Corps veteran, is running against Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, who voted for Patrick’s ban. Jimenez cited veteran peers who use THC for sleep and pain management as his reason for advocating for the product.

Early voting concludes Friday. Election Day is November 3. The winner of the lieutenant governor’s race will hold significant power over the state’s legislative agenda when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.