Texas THC industry eyes change as new state leaders take office

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As Democrats prepare to take control of the top statewide offices, many are wondering about the future of THC.

"I'm not going to legalize marijuana in Texas and if people want to vote me out of office for it, so be it," Lt. Governor Dan Patrick famously said last summer.

That being said, voters took him up on it.

"Dan Patrick dared the industry to vote him out and we rolled him up and smoked him," Kyle Arora, who is the THC Club co-owner, said.

"We are so excited to see the change that is coming," Arora said.

THC Club had 18 locations just two years ago. But as regulations increased, customers stopped coming as much. Four locations have now closed.

The owners of THC Club were even indicted two years ago, after they were accused of selling illegal marijuana.

Records show those charges were later dismissed, and the owners now say they were victims of a confusing and frustrating system.

But, starting in January, Texas will have new leaders and a new outlook on THC.

"We will protect children," Governor-Elect Gina Hinojosa said, "And we will protect our freedoms by giving the people of Texas a right to vote on the future of THC."

Nathan Johnson, who will be the state's next Attorney General, has proposed regulating rather than banning THC products.

Vikki Goodwin, who will be the state's next lieutenant governor presiding over the state Senate, has said she wants to legalize marijuana and use sales tax revenue to help fund health insurance.

Our state will have a divided legislature, with a Democratic-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate.

To pass a law legalizing THC in Texas, that Republican-controlled state senate will have to be on board. However, that's not the only hurdle standing in the way of legal THC.

"There's a federal ban on the horizon," Arora said. "We are very optimistic that both sides will work together to implement a regulatory ban that's fair for the industry."