
The lieutenant governor threw their product in protest. Now, they’re selling it — with his name in a promo code.
DALLAS, Texas — A Texas hemp company is turning a very public jab from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick into a full-blown marketing campaign — just as state lawmakers prepare to revisit the future of hemp in a July special session.
Weeks ago, during a press conference supporting Senate Bill 3, a measure that would ban hemp-derived THC products statewide, Patrick tossed a bag of edibles toward a reporter and called them “poison” after calling the press conference and promising ‘snacks’ for the media.
“Nothing is more important than stopping a kid from getting a hold of this junk,” Patrick said. “Anybody want this bag?”
The dramatic moment, which circulated widely online, included a product from Hometown Hero Wellness, an Austin-based hemp company. That’s when CEO Lukas Gilkey saw an opportunity.
“The stance the lieutenant governor is taking is so ridiculous in so many ways that you have to have a sense of humor around it sometimes,” Gilkey said.
Gilkey and his team launched a satirical response—posting parody videos, slapping discount codes like “Dan’s Delight” and “Dan Patrick” on their products, and even printing t-shirts featuring Patrick, product in hand.
Gilkey added that, to avoid litigation, the company can’t profit from the sales of those shirts.
“We’ve got a single politician who’s trying to kill us, literally,” Gilkey said. “We have to fight back, and we have to do what we can to bring attention to it. We found that this is the best way.”
SB 3 passed both the Texas House and Senate earlier this year with bipartisan support. The bill would ban all consumable hemp products that contain any amount of THC, including delta-8 and delta-9 edibles, which are currently legal under the federal 2018 Farm Bill.
But Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the measure, citing concerns over enforcement and the need for “clearer regulation” rather than prohibition. That veto has set the stage for renewed debate.
Hemp policy is expected to be a key point of contention when lawmakers return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session. Patrick is pushing to revive the ban, while others may seek a regulatory framework in its place.
Call it satire for sale — but Gilkey added that the campaign is rooted in a real policy goal.
“We’ve been fighting for an age gate, which means that the products are limited to 21 and up.”
The company maintains that its products are clearly labeled, responsibly manufactured and legal under federal law. They say Patrick’s claims don’t match the facts, and have turned his criticism into a rallying cry.
Requests for comment from the lieutenant governor’s office have not been returned as of Wednesday evening.