The legal status of Delta-8 THC, the popular cannabis derivative sold in smoke shops and CBD stores all over Texas, has been hazy. As of now, though, it's legal.

• Delta-8 is the milder cousin of definitely-illegal-in-Texas weed. It's consumed mostly in the form of edibles and vape cartridges.

Why it matters: If Delta-8 THC is criminalized, countless Texans could face felony charges, jail time and fines up to $10,000 for selling or possessing a product that consumers believe is legal.

Driving the news: The Texas Department of State Health Services "Consumable Hemp Program" webpage was updated this month. It specifically mentions that legal products must contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC but makes no mention of Delta-8.

• Manufacturers, retailers and consumers — not to mention law enforcement agencies and prosecutors — are anxiously awaiting more clarity from the Texas government.

Context: Delta-8 is naturally occurring and extracted from hemp, which was legalized as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.

• Legal hemp and products derived from hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive compound that gives people the euphoric high.
• Legislation that aimed to ban Delta-8 in Texas failed during the state's most recent legislative session.
• More than a dozen states have restricted its sale or use.

What's happening: Last fall, DSHS abruptly specified that Delta-8 is a Schedule I controlled substance, therefore illegal in Texas.

• In December, the Texas Supreme Court denied an emergency motion, essentially allowing Delta-8 to remain legal.

What they're saying: "It's a huge gray area," Rick Trojan III, a board member of the Hemp Industries Association, told the Texas Tribune last year. "The whole thing is confusing for everyone involved. It sounds like DSHS doesn't even understand."

Our thought bubble: If the state legislature just legalized all THC, this legal quagmire would disappear, and Texas would have cannabis laws as progressive as — *checks notes* — that liberal bastion, Oklahoma.

WeWork bought Dallas-based Common Desk in a deal that's expected to close in March.

Why it matters: WeWork, which famously imploded in 2019, said the purchase is part of its "cost-efficient, strategic growth."

• The company pointed to Common Desk's strong profits with minimal expenses.

Details: As part of the deal, the Dallas-based co-working space will be rebranded as Common Desk, a WeWork company. WeWork did not disclose terms of the deal.

• Common Desk has a dozen flex work locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and sites in Austin, Houston and North Carolina.

Context: WeWork drastically scaled back its business, but has expanded in recent months, including adding OnDemand office space in the U.K., Ireland, Singapore and Australia.

The bottom line: During the pandemic, workers have adopted a remote work lifestyle, which doesn't always mean working from home. WeWork and other flex work companies are betting on the "third workplaces."

The number of wage and salary workers belonging to unions nationwide declined by nearly 241,000 people in 2021, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out last week.

Just 3.8% of Texas workers are unionized, among the lowest rates in the country.

The Fort Worth Public Library features original paintings and illustrations by famed children's author Maurice Sendak until Monday.

Why it matters: Sendak is best-known for "Where the Wild Things Are," but the memorial exhibition features sketches from other works, including operas and musicals.

Details: The illustrator and author wrote more than 100 picture books.

• The free exhibit displays a self-portrait of Sendak with Mickey Mouse and posters from "Really Rosie," a musical by Sendak and Carole King.

If you go: The exhibit is at the central library, 500 W. 3rd St., and it’s open 10am-8pm Wednesday and Thursday, 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday and 12-6pm Sunday.

🚨 Skeletal remains have been found near where a skull was discovered during the weekend in Hunt County. (DMN)

🚀 Elton John postponed two shows this week at the American Airlines Center in Dallas after the singer tested positive for the coronavirus. (CBS DFW)

🦠 Lewisville ISD is closed for the rest of the week because of staff absences due to COVID-19. The superintendent said the number of positive cases among middle and high school students has increased 500% in the past two weeks. (NBC DFW)

🚜 Industrial work can resume at the site that was once home to "Shingle Mountain" after Dallas city officials granted a certificate of occupancy that allows for use of heavy machinery. (D Magazine)

Toasted serves slices of pumpkin bread that look and taste like the type your mom used to make.

• The pumpkin-heavy holidays might be over, and pumpkin spice season is still two months away — we kid! But really, there's never a bad time to eat pumpkin bread.

What to order: Anything, but add a slice of pumpkin bread.

Where: Toasted, 5420 Ross Ave., Unit 180

Cost: $2

😬 Pro tip: The coffee is great but the espresso is measured in doubles, so…

Six word review: Seriously, like Mom's. Maybe slightly better?

🧁 Know a delicious dessert we should sample? Hit reply, and let us know.