By Jermaine Galloway March 2026
One of the most valuable things I do at Tall Cop is conduct community scans across the country. These scans allow me to see what is showing up on store shelves, what clerks are selling, and what products are gaining traction before they become widespread.
Since the new year I have conducted several scans across Texas, and what I observed should be viewed as a temperature gauge for the rest of the country.
Texas is particularly interesting because the state does not have legal cannabis and has not broadly decriminalized many drugs. When that happens, the marketplace often fills the gap with alternative substances. Historically, the products that appear in Texas often begin appearing in other states soon after.
Texas is also unique because I can conduct scans in major metropolitan areas and extremely rural communities within the same state. When the same products appear across both environments, it tells me those trends have strong potential to spread nationwide.
During my recent scans, several substances stood out as trends professionals should be watching closely as we move into 2026.
7-OH (7-Hydroxy)
One of the biggest trends I observed was 7-hydroxy, often shortened to 7-OH.
As I have been telling people recently, “we are swimming in 7-OH in Texas.”
These products are widely available with low price points, appealing flavors, and numerous brand names. Because of this, it will be important for schools, medical personnel, and those working on the highways to understand this substance and the potential lack of obvious impairment symptoms.
Interestingly, I rarely saw the full chemical names used in storefront marketing. The words 7-OH, 7-hydroxy, or 7-hydroxymitragynine were almost nowhere to be found. The closest reference I saw was a smoke shop with the word “HYDROXY” displayed on the door.
However, the products were clearly very popular.
I am already hearing about encounters involving this substance. Recently, a state trooper shared this message after attending one of my trainings:
“Recently attended one of your conferences in New Jersey for DRE and listened to your podcast as well.
Had an erratic operator all over the road that turned into a DRE evaluation involving Kratom and 7-OH.
We knew what to look for based on the information I learned from your training.
Thank you for what you do and keep up the great work.”
These types of encounters are becoming more common.
Kratom: A Market in Motion
Kratom remains widely available in many retail stores, but what stands out right now is the legislative attention it is receiving.
Across the country, I am seeing multiple states discussing whether to regulate or ban kratom products. This is more legislative movement than I have seen in the past two decades.
(Current US Kratom Legislation Efforts and State Status)
Another factor I am watching closely is price pressure. When stores place 7-OH products next to kratom on the shelf, it can drive kratom prices down in order to compete.
As I often tell school officials during training, cheap and accessible substances tend to find their way into schools.
Psychedelic Mushrooms and “Shroom” Products
Another trend that should be on everyone’s radar is the growth of psychedelic mushroom-related products.
During my Texas scans, I observed multiple new brands and products referencing mushrooms or “shrooms.”
In one store conversation, a clerk openly talked about how certain products create visual effects and euphoria similar to psychedelic mushrooms. She also mentioned products containing Delta-9 THC, including drink products that they had previously sold with strong popularity.
One thing I noticed repeatedly was the lack of clear ingredient labeling.
Many of the mushroom-related products did not list the contents of the packaging, yet clerks were often willing to talk about what they believed was inside and even describe their own experiences with the products.
This is a rapidly evolving market and one that deserves close attention.
THCA
Another product that showed up repeatedly during my Texas scans was THCA.
THCA comes from the cannabis plant, but the versions I am seeing in stores are often not just pure THCA. Many products are now blended with other compounds, including synthetic substances or cannabinoids such as Delta-9 THC.
After the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, we began seeing THCA products appear in retail markets, but they are now showing up at some of the highest levels I have observed.
What stands out is how these products are being marketed. In some cases, THCA is isolated and sold on its own, while in other cases it is blended with additional compounds and sold over the counter in smoke shops. I am seeing this in states like Texas, which does not have legal cannabis, as well as in some states that do.
Another important point is how the product behaves. THCA converts to THC when heated, meaning when it is smoked or vaporized it becomes psychoactive. Many people working in these stores will even tell customers that when heated it turns into a very potent form of THC.
During my recent scans in Texas, I saw a large amount of THCA products, especially blended formulations, which appear to be gaining popularity quickly.
Nitrous Oxide
Another striking observation during my scans was the size of nitrous oxide canisters now being sold over the counter.
In one store I found a 4.5-liter flavored nitrous oxide canister, the largest I have ever seen available in retail. The canister was massive and felt like it weighed nearly 20 pounds.
Store clerks told me that sales of these larger canisters are increasing.
This lines up with what I am seeing nationally. As psychedelic substances become more popular, inhalants like nitrous oxide are increasing as well.
These products are appearing in connection with:
- Party and rave environments
- Attempts to avoid drug testing
- Polysubstance use with painkillers
- Impaired driving incidents
The popularity of these large canisters is concerning.
Kava
Kava is another product that has been on my radar for years, but I am seeing it increasingly paired with other substances.
During the Texas scans, I found several kava products displayed alongside kratom.
Both substances originate from natural plants and can produce depressant-type effects. Because they are often sold in small, non-threatening bottles, many people may assume the products are harmless.
However, the kava and kratom retail pairing is becoming more common and is worth watching closely.
Vapes: Higher Doses, Lower Prices
Finally, vape pricing stood out during the scans.
I found vapes advertising up to 50,000 puffs selling for $17 to $30.
This is happening at a time when most consumer goods are increasing in price, yet vape products are becoming cheaper while offering higher doses.
I also observed several new vape brands trending in stores.
As we move into summer, this raises an important question: what will higher-dose vapes at lower prices mean for addiction rates heading into the fall?
I am also seeing new vape device types emerging, which I will highlight in upcoming newsletters later this spring.
The Takeaway
This Texas scan provides a snapshot of what may be coming next across the country.
Whether you work in schools, healthcare, prevention, law enforcement, or community safety, these trends are likely to reach both urban and rural communities.
Texas has once again served as a temperature gauge for the rest of the nation.
I already have community scans scheduled in more than half the states across the country, so there will be much more information coming in the months ahead.
Stay tuned.