Opinion: Texas Cannabis Policy Is Changing Fast — and This Is the Moment for Serious, Collaborative Dialogue

Author Bio: Heather Fazio is the director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center and an organizer of the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference.

Texas is at a turning point in cannabis policy. Long shaped by prohibition and incremental reform, the state is now navigating a more complex and consequential phase — one defined by expanding medical cannabis access, rapidly evolving hemp regulation, and federal policy changes that no longer dictate every move states make. In this moment of transition, thoughtful, informed policymaking matters more than ever.

That is exactly why the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference, taking place January 29–31 at UT Austin’s Thompson Conference Center, is so timely.

For three days, policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, attorneys, researchers, and advocates from across Texas and around the country will come together for focused, nonpartisan discussions about where cannabis policy is headed — and how Texas can get it right. This is not a conference built around hype or ideology. It is designed to support serious, solutions-oriented conversations about regulation, enforcement, public safety, and market stability.

Texas’ medical cannabis program has expanded meaningfully in recent years, improving access for patients while raising important questions about oversight, product standards, and long-term program design. At the same time, the state’s once lightly regulated hemp market is undergoing a long-overdue transformation. Policymakers and regulators are working to replace uncertainty with enforceable standards — a shift that reflects both the maturation of the marketplace and the growing expectation of accountability.

Federal policy changes have reshaped the national cannabis conversation, but they have not slowed Texas’ forward progress. If anything, they have reinforced the reality that states must take responsibility for building regulatory systems that fit their legal frameworks, public health goals, and economic priorities. Texas is doing exactly that, and the conference is designed to help stakeholders understand what these changes mean in practice.

A central focus of this year’s programming is regulation and enforcement — not in the abstract, but as systems that affect real people and businesses every day. Featured speakers include Thomas Graham, Executive Director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, who will discuss TABC’s expanding role as Texas’ newest cannabis regulatory authority. With enforcement responsibilities for consumable hemp products now shared between TABC and the Department of State Health Services, Texas is drawing on decades of regulatory experience to bring clarity and consistency to a complex marketplace.

Legislative insight is another cornerstone of the conference. Drew Darby, who served on the House State Affairs Committee, will speak about the committee’s overhaul of SB 3 — a process that shifted the conversation from prohibition toward regulation. His perspective highlights how cannabis policy in Texas is shaped through negotiation, compromise, and a growing recognition that regulation is more effective than bans.

Nathan Johnson brings a pragmatic, data-informed approach to cannabis policy, emphasizing the importance of durable regulatory systems that can evolve over time. His participation reflects a broader understanding that cannabis policy, like any complex regulatory area, benefits from evidence-based decision-making and long-term planning.

Local governments are also navigating the consequences of state-level cannabis decisions. Adam Bazaldua will discuss how cannabis and hemp policy plays out at the city level, including the impact of ongoing litigation challenging voter-approved local marijuana decriminalization measures. These issues underscore the tension between state authority and local control — and the need for clearer, more consistent policy.

From the enforcement side, Sarah Stogner brings a prosecutorial perspective to conversations about public safety, criminal law, and the real-world consequences of cannabis enforcement as policy continues to evolve.

Attendees will choose from 18 sessions over two days, with attorneys eligible to earn up to nine hours of Continuing Legal Education credit. Just as important, the conference creates space for meaningful connection — offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders who are shaping cannabis policy in real time.

Cannabis policy in Texas is changing quickly, and the marketplace is experiencing an overdue transformation. The Texas Cannabis Policy Conference exists to help stakeholders keep pace — by fostering informed dialogue, encouraging collaboration, and focusing on practical solutions that protect public safety while supporting a safe and legal marketplace.

Whether you work in policy, regulation, law, or industry — or simply want to better understand where Texas cannabis policy is headed — this conference offers a valuable opportunity to be part of the conversation.

Registration is open now. Learn more and register at www.TexasCannabisConference.org