Episode Details

In this installment of Texas Talks Presents: Hemp in Texas, host Brad Swail speaks with Scott Gates—Law enforcement veteran, farmer, hemp industry advocate, and co-founder of Texas Hemp Growers—about the business, science, and politics shaping hemp’s future in the Lone Star State. From soil health to small-town economies, Gates lays out how hemp isn’t just an agricultural product—it’s a path toward sustainable farming, rural revitalization, and consumer choice. He warns that the proposed SB5 hemp ban threatens not only businesses and jobs, but also the rights of Texans to choose safer alternatives to alcohol and pharmaceuticals. Gates brings a unique blend of farmer’s pragmatism and legislative savvy, explaining what’s at stake for growers, manufacturers, and everyday Texans if the state outlaws hemp-derived cannabinoids. Check out the rest of the Hemp in Texas series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL52AXg4M428dkbHAHPN3L_EkibznzbR86 Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com