Pre-rolled joints and other smokable THC products will no longer be sold in Texas starting today.

Why it matters: Hemp advocates say they plan on suing after yet another blow to the multibillion-dollar industry and its consumers.

Catch up quick: Small amounts of THC were made legal through federal and state laws in 2018 and 2019, allowing consumable products to hit the market if they were less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

• The legislation did not include limits on THCA, a compound in hemp that turns into delta-9 THC when burned.
• That allowed the sale of smokable products containing THCA in Texas because they did not contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC at the point of sale.

Flashback: After Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed an effort to ban all THC last year, he ordered the Texas Department of State Health Services to add regulations to the industry.

Driving the news: The department's new rules, which go into effect Tuesday, now include limits on the "total THC" in a product, which includes THCA.

• That means smokable products, like flower buds or pre-rolls, are now off the market, industry leaders say.

What they're saying: Texas Hemp Business Council executive director Mark Bordas tells Axios he fears the move will ultimately send consumers to the black market.

• "People are going to look for alternatives," Bordas says. "If they can't get it [in store or online], they're going to get it from somebody they know who knows somebody. That's where things get really frightening."
• Bordas tells Axios the council will file a lawsuit against the rule change, saying they don't believe the department has the authority to make the change since THCA wasn't limited by Congress or the Texas Legislature.

The other side: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who in 2025 led the failed fight in the Legislature to ban all forms of THC, says the products are dangerous and marketed to children.

What's next: A federal ban of hemp-derived THC products goes into effect in November, although hemp industry leaders are hopeful the Trump administration will reverse course before then.

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Austin travelers might soon have to pay more to fly if airlines decide to raise ticket prices due to higher jet fuel prices.

Why it matters: Flights out of the Austin airport have already skewed pricier than the national average since 2024, making summer travel more expensive.

State of play: The price of jet fuel rose to $4.57 per gallon Friday, up from $2.50 the day before the Iran war began.

• Jet fuel accounts for more than 40% of airlines' operating expenses, and a small commercial jet like a Boeing 737 consumes as many as 2,700 gallons during a three-hour flight, roughly the flying time from Austin to Pittsburgh.

Yes, but: There are still some ways to hack a cheaper flight, per travel experts at Points Guy and Expedia:

Book now: Especially for June and July, which are already among the most expensive months.

Use airline points: Most U.S. carriers refund miles and fees if plans change.

Be flexible: Fly later in the summer (like August).

Track prices: Google Flights lets you scout the cheapest fares over the next six months and set alerts for fare drops.

Go deeper

🏢 Austin-based Stratus Properties is dissolving and plans to liquidate all assets. The company has developed major projects like Southwest Austin's Circle C Ranch and Barton Creek neighborhoods. (Austin Business Journal 🔒)

✈️ Austin-Bergstrom International Airport saw lines that stretched out the door yesterday morning as MotoGP fans left the city. (CBS Austin)

🚧 Speaking of, today marks the final day of operations for the airport's South Terminal ahead of its planned demolition. (Austin American-Statesman)

Twin Lakes Family YMCA in Cedar Park is nearing completion of its $12 million outdoor expansion that brings an adventure course and pavilion to the site.

Why it matters: It's the first YMCA in Texas with a course like this, YMCA officials say.

Zoom in: The all-ages adventure course will be a multi-level ropes and climbing experience built by RCI Adventure Products, a company known for large-scale outdoor challenge attractions.

• The course will include zip lines, a sky trail and multi-level climbing structures.
• The YMCA's outdoor expansion also includes the Avery Family Pavilion, a nearly 12,000-square-foot covered gathering space for community events, camps and programming.

What's next: The project, which broke ground last May, is expected to open by the end of next month, according to YMCA officials.

👋 Nicole here, with a sandwich recommendation.

I recently spent a long weekend in West Texas. It was my first time in Marfa, and we enjoyed three days of great food, shopping and looking at the stars.

• We ended the trip in Big Bend, where we hiked a couple of trails, including the Santa Elena Canyon, and spent a night in Terlingua.

While all that was incredible, the real highlight of my trip was a sandwich.

Dig in: We grabbed lunch from Bordo, an Italian deli in Marfa, which makes sandwiches on their own wood-fired, in-house sourdough bread.

• I can't stop thinking about that day's special: a roast beef sandwich with a creamy horseradish sauce, arugula, lemon, basil, topped with shaved parmesan cheese.
• Their menu changes frequently, but I have no doubt that it's all delicious. We sampled three other sandwiches and loved them all, along with fettuccine alfredo pasta.

Six-word review: So good, we ate it twice.

📍 If you go: Bordo serves lunch Thursday through Sunday, 11am-3pm, or while supplies last.

• The shop usually has a line out the door and sells out of sandwiches fast. It's worth getting there when they open.