Last month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made cannabis history within the state when he signed House Bill 1325, a bill authorizing the production of industrial hemp, and effectively legalized CBD in the state with otherwise very convoluted laws surrounding the cannabinoid. As has been the custom of many of the cities in Texas since the medicinal benefits of CBD have become mainstream, CBD stores have been popping up at a wild rate, hoping to become successful in the 21st century’s equivalent to the gold rush.
Already established as franchises well before the craze of CBD-mania began, American Shaman’s Frisco, Coppell and Plano franchise owner Kyle Streubing has an interesting perspective on how HB 1325 has affected both his businesses and the CBD industry as a whole.
Struebing, who struggled with painkillers and alcohol addiction before overcoming the horrors of addiction, has found cannabidiol to be “part of the journey to keep him clean and sober” along with physical relief from joint and muscle pain. The non-psychoactive aspects of CBD compared to it’s cousin aligned perfectly with Streubing’s sober lifestyle and he truly envisioned the benefits for the community around him as well.
“I couldn’t have anticipated the impact that the product has actually made until a month into it. We have people come in with tremendous anxiety or pain and they would come back in three weeks and there’s just something better about them. They had a little more bounce in their step and life in their eyes. My passion has shifted to “let’s get this out to as many people and help as many people as we can.’”
Before House Bill 1325 passed, all of Struebing’s locations were based solely on geography and the feelings of the counties’ district attorneys, most notably mentioning that they would’ve never opened a location in Tarrant County due partially to the viewpoints of DA Sharen Wilson that created a legal grey area but also because of their desire to sell full spectrum products.
However through consulting with a lawyer and ensuring their products are legitimate and the passing of HB 1325 has allowed the now opened Tarrant County stores to sell full spectrum products.
But Struebing’s overall viewpoints on the ramifications vary differently on how effective HB 1325 will be in general. The CBD franchisee theorizes that the numerous examples of press attention that CBD has received has been a primary culprit in the industry’s success in Dallas with HB 1325 only adding to the success, possibilities and most importantly accessibility for potential patients.
“The influx of attention too definitely has helped. And the industry certainly has grown since he (Governor Abbott) signed it. People are a lot less curious and a lot more committed and when people come in, they’re coming in to buy. But we’re ready for when the actual regulation comes down and looking forward to it. I want to be proactive and make sure we’re 100 percent compliant because customers deserve that.”
To his credit, Struebing assured that American Shaman’s products are lab tested, trackable from seed to shelf and they will continue to hire high-quality people with certifications.
Another obvious and logistical benefit of House Bill 1325 to CBD businesspeople is that after many decades of agricultural prohibition, the hemp that is used to produce CBD-based products will finally be allowed to be grown in the state instead of having it imported from elsewhere.
But even through all of the rapidly occurring changes and the eventual regulations put in place for hemp, Struebing doesn’t believe that operations will change too severely at his locations or at other existing CBD stores for that matter.
“I don’t think you’ll see too much of a change. Maybe their product lines might get a little stricter and add quality control which is good. At my stores, we’ve been acting like there has been a significant amount of structure and regulation regardless. I’m certainly not going to put anything in my body or someone else’s body that would be of any risk. So it’s going to be business as usual. There might be a bit of training but we’re excited for it.”
Community involvement is another vital part of Struebing’s American Shaman locations, most notably their volunteer work at Coppell Seniors’ Center, the option for customers to round up their purchase and/or make a donation on behalf of the homeless veteran advocacy group I Got Your Six and has plans to host an event for the Humane Society.
