LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A Lubbock business owner says she will be forced to close her doors and uproot her family if the federal law banning intoxicating THC isn’t overturned before next year.
Jennifer Garza, owner of CBD American Shaman in Lubbock, said the new provision would eliminate most of her inventory and force her out of business. The law bans the sale of hemp products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container.
“So, all of this side of my store is going to be gone, all of this is going to be gone. I am going to be left with this right here and my topicals, two topicals and that’s it,” Garza said.
This story follows Monday’s coverage when Lubbock’s state senator Charles Perry defended the ban after fighting for it at the state level for years.
The CBD products that launched Garza’s business in 2019 now make up only 10 percent of her sales. The other 90 percent come from products containing THC.
“This little bit of five water-solubles is not going to keep anybody in business, because you have New Mexico, who’s legal. They’re going to go right next door and it puts us just out of business,” Garza said.
An entire wall of products in her store contain more than the legal limit of hemp-derived THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, permitted in the federal ban.
“Yes, I have products in here that we sell to 21 and older that do give you that euphoric head change, not going to lie about that. But they’re not being irresponsible, they’re not breaking the law,” Garza said.
Garza said her clients are 35 and older, looking to lower their stress and anxiety, discomfort and help them sleep.
“It is not attracting kids, we don’t look like a fireworks stand, we’re boring. And I like to pride myself on that, because what kid’s going to want to come in here? We’re boring,” Garza said.
Garza said she has never sold to minors, pays taxes and passes state inspections.
“My opinion, they need to get rid of the bad actors, get it out of the smoke shops, get it out of the gas stations, the grocery stores. Leave it to small businesses like health and wellness, that is the biggest issue,” Garza said.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a leading voice for hemp regulation, claims the ban would wipe out 95 percent of the industry, hurting small businesses and farms.
Garza said she feels the ban was included in the government funding bill without proper consideration. Unless reversed by Congress, it goes into effect next November.
“I appreciate that we have a year to fight this, but why if we’re so bad, why are we getting a year? If we are so bad, why are you giving us a year?” Garza said.
She plans to stay open for the next year while encouraging the industry to fight the ban. But, she says it’s hard not to think about jumping ship before it sinks.
“I’ve already thought about selling my house and moving. Like I’m going to have to uproot my family. It’s going to make me cry,” Garza said. “This is my livelihood.”
While Perry said he understands the law will cause hardships, he claims the law was clear from the beginning. He suggests owners like Garza should file a class action lawsuit against the owners of the franchise.
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