We Didn’t Ask for a Handout. We Asked for a Chance.

By: Chasity Wedgeworth Published: June 4,2025

joincraft.org

When Texas opened the gates for hemp, we faced many challenges. There was no rulebook. There were no guardrails or regulatory support—just a bold new frontier. We had only the shirts on our backs. Yet, against all odds, we built an industry. We created jobs, wellness solutions, small businesses, and hope.

We Were Blessed with This Plant, But We Weren’t Given a Fair Shot.

Cannabis saved lives. It saved my life. It has healed bodies, soothed minds, and created livelihoods for thousands of Texans. From the beginning, the hemp sector has faced unfair treatment. It felt like an accident—like we weren’t meant to succeed.

We were the misfit cousins in the medical market. We weren’t taken seriously. Instead, we faced scrutiny and stigma while building something beautiful from chaos. They provided no rules and then punished us for not following them. But that's where CRAFT comes in.

CRAFT Gives the Industry Legs

CRAFT is more than a membership or a logo—it’s a declaration. It tells everyone: “We're not going anywhere. We’re done playing defense.”

CRAFT creates structure where none existed. It installs compliance systems where the state offered silence. CRAFT educates retailers on real standards, not fabricated fears. It sets a high bar of integrity that truly serves the consumer.

CRAFT is the alliance we desperately needed. It is the shield we’ve been praying for.

We Built This Industry, Now We Defend It Together

The hemp industry blossomed from passion, innovation, and resilience. It didn’t come from institutions. But now, we must grow up—without compromising our values.

CRAFT provides us with ethical leadership, necessary training, and unity that makes our ecosystem harder to divide. Division is how they win, and it is how they regulate us out. They protect large companies that have failed our communities with opioids.

Unity is how we push back. When we stand together, we send a strong message.

My Message to the Industry

If you're a retailer, processor, or advocate in hemp—CRAFT isn’t just for you. It represents you.

We finally have a body that can represent us with credibility and strength. We now have the tools to train our teams, protect our shops, and work together efficiently. CRAFT is our voice. It embodies our struggle. It understands what it means to build something from nothing and refuses to let anyone take it away from us.

CRAFT is the way forward. Because hemp isn’t the problem. It’s the answer.

Join Us in This Journey

CRAFT is more than an organization; it’s a movement. Together, we can reshape the landscape of the hemp industry in Texas. We can demand better regulations and fair support for all players in the market.

We must advocate for rights, ethics, and standards. As we stand in solidarity, we will forge a future where hemp is honored.

Welcome to CRAFT. Welcome to the next era of cannabis in Texas. Sign up for CRAFT here. Let’s grow stronger together in this evolving industry. The time for change is now, and together, we will make our voices heard.