Hemp businesses around town have pulled their flower supply off the shelf and there’s not a preroll to be found as of the end of July. Multiple cannabinoids have been banned statewide, including Delta-8, Delta-10, THCA, and THCP. Delta-9 is the last man standing, remaining legal as long as it is under 0.3% by dry weight in products, which is why you can still find edibles and drinks at your local head shop.
Now that smokables are officially out, let’s talk about the real difference between ingestion and inhalation. If you’re wondering why lawmakers are concerned about banning one while seeming unbothered by the other, you’re not alone. One reason is that the legal pathway for these products is completely different, and it’s much easier to attack THCA while leaving drinks and edibles alone. Another factor is the alcohol distributors; you may have noticed that most of them are now carrying THC drinks as well. From a marketing and a lawmaking perspective, the optics of the two activities (smoking vs. drinking) appeal to very different demographics.
Something readers should understand as they navigate these new rules is that drinks and edibles are processed in your body in an entirely different way than smoking. An edible or drink is absorbed through your stomach and goes through first-pass metabolism in your liver, where it is converted from Delta-9-THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. Essentially, it is a completely different drug from smoked cannabis. The effects of drinks and edibles take longer to kick in, and they stay in your system longer as well.
Inhalation (which includes smoking and vaping) involves a process called decarboxylation, also known as heating it up. This creates a vapor or smoke, which passes directly from your lungs into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system entirely. The onset time is much shorter, almost instantaneous, and the effects last for a shorter time as well. Laymen such as myself will often contrast these two different experiences as a “body high” versus a “head high.”
While there is no universal experience when it comes to different ways to consume, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind when choosing your products and dosages. Edible cannabis tends to be more concentrated, so if you are making the switch from smoking due to the ban, start a little lower, even if you have been a regular smoker. Keep in mind that some kinds of drinks and gummies are formulated to be “fast-acting” using a process called nano-emulsification (smaller molecules), which is usually reflected on their packaging. Regardless, it is best to assess your high after 30-45 minutes before making the classic mistake of declaring “This edible ain’t shit.”
Inhalation tends to be more effective for folks who need immediate relief, including people who suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, sudden spikes in pain, and other unpredictable symptoms. What these folks need to keep in mind is that possession of newly banned forms of THC now classifies as a felony in Texas, and may be difficult to get ahold of and dangerous to carry. Consumers who prefer inhalation may want to consider pursuing a medical marijuana prescription if they are hesitant about making a switch. (As someone with anxiety, I approach all forms of ingestible cannabis with the utmost caution.)
Regardless of consumption method, it’s a scientific fact that cannabis has the power to make you giggle. Moderate amounts of THC can encourage your dopamine and serotonin levels, intensify your sensory experience (famously leading to “the munchies”), and lower your inhibition. When I saw that Downtown dispensary Cozy Cannabis was hosting an event called Cozy Comedy, I decided to grab a buddy and head to Fourth Street in hopes of a good laugh, a commodity that has been in short supply in this economy.
The atmosphere of Cozy Cannabis is something akin to what I would expect to find on South Congress than on Fourth, mere steps away from Rain and Oilcan Harry’s. (And yes, I saw the de-rainbowed crosswalk with my own two eyes on my walk over.) Cozy is much closer to a curated boutique than a grungy head shop, with a distinctly “girly-pop” aesthetic, dripping in a monochromatic fern green color scheme accented with pink, with cutesy weed-leaf and heart patterns everywhere from the ceiling to the cocktail napkins. Highly Instagrammable, with even the piano in the center of the lounge painted the same shade of green.
Not only do they sell bedazzled grinders and ashtrays sporting phrases like “Fat Blunt Energy,” they also sell jewelry, some weed-themed and some not, as well as an array of dresses and bikinis that are sure to lure in every bachelorette party on their way to the gay club. They carry a variety of trendy cannabis products including edibles and canned drinks, as well as serving THC cocktails behind the bar formulated with Habit Delta-9 syrup, fruit juice, and Sprite in 15-25mg doses. My buddy and I split a “Pineapple Express” and settled in for the stand-ups.
The tricky thing about the aforementioned giggles is that the setting has to be just right. The Thursday night crowd at Cozy was a bit sparse and some of the punchlines fell flat, but that is always the gamble when it comes to attending a stand-up show, and as someone who used to do improv, I am in no position to judge. I enjoy watching comics work out their craft, and I aim to be generous with my laughs. My favorite set of the night came from comedian Avery Anne, and by the end of the show I was laughing out loud.
On our way out of Cozy, we stumbled upon personal chef Kavyn Pacheco, who was serving up bánh mì sandwiches in the back, perfect for attendees who worked up an appetite while watching the sets. Pacheco told us that these are the kinds of clients she loves to serve: stoners and skaters. The sandwich did not disappoint and our mouths were on fire when we left.
Whether you’re inhaling, ingesting, or going to a consumption lounge for a comedy set, cannabis consumers and column readers should make an effort to pay attention to opportunities to speak our minds to Texas lawmakers before the November elections and let them know what we want – safe and regulated cannabis products – and when we want it: now.
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This article appears in August 21 • 2026.
