FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rhiannon Dee Yard, CEO & Founder, Hemp Gaia
MBA – Executive Communication, Baylor University
Phone: 254-218-4110 | Email: rhiannon@hempgaia.com
Baylor MBA & Texas Hemp Advocate Call for Dialogue After SB 3: “Texans Deserve the Truth”
"Texas Hemp Needs Communication—Not Condemnation," Say Waco-Based Leaders
WACO, TX – After the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3)—a bill that would severely limit legal hemp products in Texas—two Waco-based voices are urging state leaders and media outlets to listen before they legislate.
Rhiannon Dee Yard, a Baylor MBA graduate in Executive Communication and owner of Hemp Gaia, and Elizabeth Meigs, a local advocate whose life has been transformed by hemp wellness, are calling on journalists and policymakers to come speak with Texans who live this issue every day.
“I studied communication because I believe conversation leads to real solutions,” said Yard. “But right now, we’re seeing a complete breakdown between those writing the laws and the people those laws impact the most. That’s why Elizabeth and I testified at the Capitol—and that’s why we’re speaking out again now.”
SB 3: Misguided, Miscommunicated, and Harmful
SB 3 aims to restrict consumable hemp products to only CBD and CBG, dismissing more than 150 cannabinoids in the hemp plant that are being actively researched for health benefits. It would destroy access to full-spectrum wellness products and put legal, regulated businesses at risk.
Adding to the confusion, recent news stories and political comments have labeled legal hemp businesses as operating in a “THC loophole”—a misrepresentation of Texas’ own law, HB 1325, which mirrors the 2018 Federal Farm Bill.
“These aren’t loopholes. They’re laws,” said Yard. “We are fully compliant. But instead of collaborating with the people who know hemp, lawmakers are reacting out of fear and politics.”
A Personal Story: “Hope in a Bottle”
Elizabeth Meigs is a Texan, a voter, and a hemp advocate who knows firsthand the power of the plant.
“Full-spectrum hemp has been my hope in a bottle,” Meigs shared. “It has changed my life and helped save it. What lawmakers don’t realize is that these aren’t just products—they’re wellness tools that people like me rely on every day.”
Hemp Gaia: A Model for Responsible Business
At Hemp Gaia, Yard leads with integrity, compliance, and a commitment to education. The store operates with:
✅ Strict age verification protocols
✅ Comprehensive lab testing for safety and compliance
✅ Clear labeling and QR codes for transparency
✅ A focus on public health education and consumer protection
“We’re not asking to be unregulated,” Yard added. “We’re asking to be heard. Let’s fix what’s broken—together.”
Media: You’re Invited to Learn the Truth
Hemp Gaia invites reporters and news outlets to visit the shop in Waco and speak directly with Rhiannon and Elizabeth about the real impact of SB 3, the misconceptions surrounding hemp, and what responsible policy could actually look like.
To schedule an interview or visit, contact:
Rhiannon Dee Yard
Phone: 714-348-2170
Email: rhiannon@hempgaia.com