Court Grants TRO in Challenge Brought by HIFA, THBC, and Texas Businesses; Case Advances to Temporary Injunction Hearing
AUSTIN, Texas – The Hemp Industry Farmers of America (HIFA), The Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC), and Texas hemp manufacturers and retailers today announced that a Travis County District Court has granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking enforcement of new rules adopted by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) governing consumable hemp products.
The ruling preserves the status quo for Texas’ hemp industry that supports more than 53,000 jobs and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual tax revenue. The TRO halts enforcement of the challenged rules, which took effect on March 31, 2026, while the case proceeds toward a Temporary Injunction hearing scheduled for April 23, 2026.
“Today’s ruling is an important step for Texas hemp businesses and consumers,” said Brian Swensen, Executive Director of HIFA. “The court agreed these agencies overstepped their authority. This decision keeps the legal framework that thousands of Texas businesses were built on intact while the case moves forward.”
“State agencies cannot rewrite the law the Legislature enacted,” said Cynthia Cabrera, president of THBC. “We appreciate the Court’s prompt attention in preserving the status quo, and we remain committed to protecting Texas’ hemp businesses throughout this process.”
A copy of the TRO is available here.
A copy of the original lawsuit is available here.
About Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA): HIFA is a nonpartisan coalition of hemp industry advocates representing the interests of all sectors – from farmers, veterans, and manufacturers to retail stores.
About the Texas Hemp Business Council
The Texas Hemp Business Council is an industry organization dedicated to promoting the hemp-based cannabinoid industry in Texas, while advocating for consumer safety, education and stakeholder engagement. More information is available at http://www.texashempbusinesscouncil.com.
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