Texas Hemp Business Council

What Texas Hemp Business Council does

The Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Austin, Texas, that operates as the sole statewide advocacy, education, and legislative-tracker organization for the Texas hemp industry. Founded in 2019 following passage of Texas House Bill 1325, THBC represents the full hemp value chain — cultivators, extractors, distributors, manufacturers, brands, and retailers serving a market with ~9,000 licensed businesses and an estimated $10–12 billion in annual economic activity (per THBC and Whitney Economics). Its core deliverables are not products but services: legislative and regulatory representation, litigation support, compliance guidance, grassroots mobilization (64,000+ personalized legislator emails, 150,000+ petition signatures), and economic-impact research. The organization monetizes through nine disclosed tiered membership subscriptions ranging from $50/month ally donations to $25,000/year Gold Farmer committee seats, supplemented by advocacy campaigns and donations, with $1.2M+ raised in 2025.

The technology stack is minimal and commodity: a WordPress website, WhatsApp member groups, email/newsletter blasts, paid social advertising, and petition infrastructure. THBC's principal assets are its brand recognition, government affairs expertise (Executive Director Mark Bordas, 30+ years; President Cynthia Cabrera, HIA board), a coalition network (VFW, Whitney Economics, Butler Snow, Snell Law, HIA, HIFA), and a record of shaping outcomes (Governor's veto of SB3, 21+ age gate via emergency rule, DSHS TRO and injunction in 2026). Posture is largely defensive given the FY26 federal appropriations threat and the appellate reversal of the DSHS injunction in June 2026, leaving fee increases and a smokable-hemp ban actively contested rather than resolved.

Name

Texas Hemp Business Council

Legal name

Texas Hemp Business Council

Website

https://texashempbusinesscouncil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

THBC is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Austin, Texas, that advocates for and represents the full hemp value chain — cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, brands, and retailers — through legislative representation, litigation, compliance support, and grassroots mobilization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Hemp & CBD Product Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

CBD/Hemp Specialty Stores (Tinctures, Oils, Edibles) (CRANAHAA), Hemp Flower & Pre-Roll Retail (Non-Dispensary) (CRANAHAE), CBD/Hemp Wellness & Supplements Retail (CRANAHAC), Industrial Hemp Farming (Fiber-Grade) (AFAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Hemp industry advocacy
• Legislative representation
• Trade association services
• Regulatory compliance support
• Industry coalition building

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: THBC generates revenue primarily through tiered membership subscriptions. Members pay monthly or annual fees ranging from $50 (Ally/Donor) to $500 (Distributor Committee) per month, with additional Gold Committee upgrades and annual committee positions ranging from $2,400 to $25,000. These dues fund advocacy campaigns, legal challenges, and legislative efforts.
2. Donations and Campaign Contributions: The organization raises funds through donations specifically designated for legal defense and advocacy campaigns. THBC has reported raising over $1.2 million for comprehensive campaigns to save the industry, including litigation against state regulations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Texas Hemp Business Council is a nonprofit trade association that provides advocacy, legislative representation, and education on behalf of the Texas hemp industry. Its core offerings include tiered membership subscriptions for hemp businesses, lobbying and testimony before the Texas Legislature and Congress, litigation support to challenge restrictive regulations, grassroots mobilization campaigns, and economic impact research for the industry.

Product overview

The Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) is a nonprofit trade association serving as the primary advocacy organization for the Texas hemp industry. Rather than a product company, THBC offers membership tiers (General, Retailer Silver/Gold, Distributor, Farmer Silver/Gold, Brand/Manufacturer, and Brand/Manufacturer Committee) that provide access to legislative updates, regulatory support, grassroots campaigns, legal resources, and industry data. The organization focuses on advocacy, legislative representation, compliance guidance, and economic impact research to protect and advance the hemp industry in Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trade Association Membership Tiered membership subscription program for Texas hemp businesses (Retailer, Farmer, Distributor, Brand/Manufacturer segments), with Silver and Gold/Committee upgrade tiers. Members receive WhatsApp group access for real-time legislative updates, member-only status calls, regulatory inspection support, quarterly board meeting access, company shoutouts, and the right to participate in legislative strategy formation. Monthly pricing ranges from $50 (Ally of the Industry supporter) to $500 (Committee tier); annual committee positions range from $2,400 to $25,000.
• Advocacy and Legislative Representation Services Legislative advocacy services on behalf of Texas hemp industry stakeholders, including ongoing legislative updates, direct engagement with Texas legislators and members of Congress, testimony at legislative hearings (THBC testified at every hearing on the industry), drafting of position papers and economic impact reports, and coordination of advocacy campaigns such as the SB3 veto campaign and the federal hemp action initiative.
• Legal Resources and Litigation Support Regulatory and litigation support for THBC members, including filing of lawsuits on behalf of the industry (e.g., the 330-page lawsuit filed in Travis County District Court challenging DSHS regulations, supported by Butler Snow and Snell Law), access to legal counsel, regulatory inspection support, compliance guidance documents, and distribution of court filings to members.
• Grassroots Mobilization Campaigns Coalition-building and public education campaigns including social media advocacy (e.g., #FacesOfTxHemp and #VetoSB3), email mobilization to legislators (64,000+ personalized emails during the regular session and two special sessions), petition drives (150,000+ signatures in three weeks), handwritten letter campaigns to the Governor, press conferences, and paid media placements in major Texas newspapers.
• Economic Impact Reports and Industry Data Industry research and economic impact analysis, including the Whitney Economics "Economic Impact Analysis of the Hemp Cannabinoid Industry in Texas" report, used to demonstrate the hemp industry's contribution to Texas jobs, wages, tax revenue, and total economic activity to legislators and the public.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully influenced Governor Greg Abbott to veto a hemp ban bill (SB3)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hemp Industry & Farmers of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Co-plaintiff in lawsuit challenging new DSHS regulations. The organizations filed joint litigation in Travis County District Court on April 7-8, 2026 challenging regulations that ban smokable hemp products and impose extreme fee increases. THBC and HIFA represent thousands of Texas hemp businesses in this coordinated legal challenge.
• Hemp Industry Association (HIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association for the hemp industry. Cynthia Cabrera serves on the Board of HIA, providing connection between THBC and national hemp policy efforts.
• Hemp Association of LouisianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState hemp trade association. Cynthia Cabrera serves on the board, linking THBC to regional hemp advocacy efforts.
• Tennessee Growers CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState hemp trade association. Cynthia Cabrera serves on the board, linking THBC to regional hemp advocacy efforts.
• Hometown HerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas hemp retailer and CBD business. Cynthia Cabrera serves as Chief Strategy Officer. THBC leadership includes executives from Hometown Hero who previously obtained injunctions protecting the hemp industry against Delta-8 bans.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted joint THBC/Veteran press conference at Texas Capitol calling for veto of hemp ban. VFW State Commander Dave Walden issued letter supporting hemp freedom for veterans. THBC advocates for veterans' access to THC products as alternative to opioids.
• Butler Snow Law FirmcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal counsel representing THBC in lawsuit against DSHS regulations. Lead legal team at Butler Snow determined that three-day hearing was needed to cover complexity of issues in the case.
• Snell LawcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal counsel representing THBC in lawsuit against DSHS regulations. Part of the lead legal team determining hearing requirements and case strategy.
• Whitney EconomicsminorOthersEconomic research firm that produced reports on hemp industry economic impact including the 'Economic Impact Analysis of the Hemp Cannabinoid Industry in Texas' report used to demonstrate industry contribution to legislators.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vote Hemp: National single-issue advocacy organization focused on legalizing industrial hemp and reforming hemp policy. Directly comparable as a hemp-focused advocacy organization running legislative campaigns and public education.
• Hemp Industry & Farmers of America: Co-plaintiff alongside THBC in the Travis County lawsuit challenging DSHS hemp regulations. Directly comparable as a hemp industry trade group representing farmers and businesses in coordinated advocacy and litigation.
• National Hemp Association: Industry trade group representing hemp farmers, processors, and product manufacturers nationally. Comparable as a membership-based advocacy organization focused on expanding hemp markets and protecting industry from restrictive regulation.
• Hemp Industries Association: Long-standing national trade association for the hemp industry with membership across growers, processors, and manufacturers. THBC's founder Cynthia Cabrera sits on HIA's board, indicating direct operational overlap in hemp industry advocacy.
• U.S. Hemp Roundtable: National hemp industry advocacy coalition that lobbies federal and state governments on behalf of hemp farmers, processors, and retailers. Directly comparable as a hemp-focused trade association running legislative campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and policy advocacy.

Regional players

• Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmers Association: Oregon-based trade group representing hemp cultivators and allied businesses in a long-established hemp state. Comparable as a regional hemp trade association focused on grower and processor interests.
• California Hemp Council: California state hemp trade association that advocates for hemp growers and manufacturers in one of the largest U.S. hemp markets. Comparable as a regional state hemp trade body navigating parallel regulatory and legislative challenges.
• Tennessee Growers Coalition: State-level hemp trade association serving Tennessee growers and businesses. Comparable as a regional state trade body, and THBC's Cynthia Cabrera sits on its board, indicating operational coordination on hemp policy.
• Kentucky Hemp Association: Kentucky state hemp trade organization with a long history of hemp policy advocacy dating to the state's pilot programs. Comparable as a regional state hemp trade body working on legislative and regulatory engagement.
• Hemp Association of Louisiana: Louisiana state hemp trade association representing growers, processors, and retailers. Comparable as a regional state trade body where THBC leadership holds board roles to coordinate Gulf South hemp policy advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TexasHempBiz
• Facebookfacebook.com/texas.hemp.business.council
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/texas-hemp-business-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/texas.hemp.business.council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Texas Hemp Business Council