Texans can no longer buy delta-8 products in the state under new THC rules that went into effect today.

Why it matters: Texas' hemp businesses are experiencing one of the "most volatile regulatory stretches the state industry has ever experienced," the Texas Cannabis Policy Center says.

The big picture: Texas has tightened its smokeable hemp rules over the years, including banning the sale of vapes with any cannabinoids, limiting sales to people 21 and older and imposing higher licensing fees for businesses that want to sell the products.

Catch up quick: Delta-8 THC is a minor chemical variant of traditional cannabis' main psychoactive ingredient and provides lesser psychoactive effects.

• In 2021, the Texas Department of State Health Services added delta-8 to the state's list of controlled substances, effectively banning the sale of products containing the substance that is similar to the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
• Legal opposition kept the ban in limbo for years. A Texas Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for DSHS to move forward with its ban on delta-8.

The latest: Delta-8 is now considered a controlled substance in Texas, along with all THC isomers except for delta-9. Businesses can no longer sell products with any amount of delta-8 or more than 0.3% of delta-9.

• Per state law, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance is a state jail felony punishable by jail time between 180 days and two years and a maximum fine of $10,000.

The other side: Cannabis experts tell the Texas Tribune the ban could remove more than half of the THC products from some store shelves.

• "It's a pretty big blow, and it's recriminalizing a lot of cannabis products that have been completely legal and allowable in the state for many years," Texas Cannabis Policy Center spokesperson Sarah Todd told the Tribune.

San Antonio residents and visitors have a new incentive to explore some of the city's long-running businesses with the Buy Local Legacy Pass.

The latest: Created by the city's Economic Development Department in partnership with the Office of Historic Preservation's Legacy Business Program, the free digital pass encourages people to visit businesses that have been part of San Antonio for 20 years or longer.

How it works: Sign up for the free pass here. There's no app to download — the pass is delivered by text and email and can be saved to your phone's home screen.

• Visitors check in at participating businesses using their phone's GPS.
• After checking in at five locations, they'll receive a Buy Local prize pack featuring San Antonio-themed swag, including stickers, a notepad and more.
• The promotion runs through Sept. 7.

Zoom in: Participating businesses include River Walk staple Casa Rio, Cool Crest Miniature Golf, Amols' Party and Fiesta Store, Herweck's, and dozens of other longtime local businesses across the city.

What they're saying: "These are the bootmakers, restaurants, and neighborhood institutions that hold generations of our city's story," the city said in a release.

• "Supporting their continued success preserves both our economy and our cultural identity."

🛑 The Bonham Exchange will temporarily close tomorrow after the city of San Antonio denied the nightclub's request for another six-month extension to complete required fire sprinkler upgrades. (KSAT)

✂️ Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones expects "severe" budget cuts as the city works to close a $158 million budget gap. (Express-News 🔑)

🥣 Everbowl, a national açaí bowl chain, is making its San Antonio debut at Alamo Ranch. An opening date has not been set. (CultureMap SA)

👋 Hi, it's Madalyn! I wanted to share a little snapshot from my recent trip to New Orleans for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists conference.

Why it matters: The San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists — where I'm a proud board member — was named chapter of the year.

Zoom in: Beyond our monthly meetings, our chapter sponsors Teen Team, a mentorship program for high school students interested in journalism. We've also raised more than $100,000 in scholarships this year to support aspiring journalists.

The bottom line: Building a pipeline for the next generation of Latino journalists is at the heart of our mission.

What's next: We'll proudly hoist our trophy at our annual gala at The Ralston on Aug. 15.

The people have spoken.

Why it matters: Axios Texas readers have crowned the margarita as the best drink in the Lone Star State.

• And it wasn't close. Margarita won each of its four matchups in our best drink bracket by wide margins.

The intrigue: The margarita's origins are murky. One version has it invented by Francisco "Pancho" Morales in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in the early 1940s.

• Bartenders in Tijuana, Mexico, and Los Angeles also claimed to have invented the drink.

Yes, but: Texas played an undisputed role in the development of the frozen margarita as we know it today.

• Dallas restaurateur Mariano Martinez adapted a soft serve ice cream machine in the 1970s to create the world's first known frozen margarita machine.
• The machine is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

💭 Madalyn's thought bubble: The bracket has me craving a margarita. My pick: Mezcaleria at Mezquite. What's yours?

• Hit reply and let us know. Your faves could be included in a future newsletter.