Local Smoke Shops Face Uncertainty as SB 3 Advances

A sweeping change in Texas hemp policy is threatening to shutter small businesses across the state, and Llano’s Deck’s Backroom—owned by longtime community members J.R. and Emily Decker—is among those preparing for the fallout.

Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which would outlaw most consumable hemp-derived THC products, has cleared the Texas Legislature and now awaits Governor Greg Abbott’s signature. If signed into law, the ban will go into effect September 1, 2025—spelling potential disaster for small operators like Deck’s.

Sara Arno, Operations Manager of Deck’s Backroom, says the impact would be immediate and far-reaching.