Cannabis Consultants Celebrate 6 Years of Lonestar Vitality

“Cannabis Consultant” Felix Escobedo is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

In an industry often under scrutiny, Lonestar Vitality has been operating for 6 years without a single incident or investigation. Co-Owner, and self-proclaimed “Cannabis Consultant,” Felix Escobedo, said law enforcement officers call him, not with accusations, but for advice on differentiating legal from illegal cannabis. Escobedo is considered a local expert in the field of Cannabis for Adult Use. The team of budtenders at Lonestar Vitality are regarded as quasi-therapists by their loyal customers, focusing on plants as medicine.

Del Rio has seen various cannabis shops shutdown throughout the years, but Lonestar Vitality has never wavered. Escobedo attributed the shop’s resiliency to 3 factors: emphasis on health and wellness, strict obedience of the law, and their beloved knowledgeable budtenders. They closely follow legislative proceedings and immediately update inventory upon policy changes. Keeping a close eye on evolving state standards.

Lonestar Vitality hosted a 6 year “cannaversary" anniversary event on April 19, 2025, over 4/20 Easter Weekend. The shop is located front-and-center on Veterans Blvd. Escobedo's co-owner is Ramon DeLuna; both are registered nurses. They like to “push the envelope” but are sworn to “cause no harm.” They are caretakers at heart and enjoy helping "improve community with health and wellness." One client told Escobedo, after trying one of their products as a natural remedy for depression, “the next day they were a completely different person."

Escobedo is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and employed full-time at UMC Northside Clinic. Working in traditional medicine by day and alternative medicine by night. The Lonestar Vitality staff clarified, “we do not provide medical advice,” but can offer recommendations based on individual customer needs. Customers visit and describe their symptoms, then budtenders pair them with a product that can best help alleviate their discomfort.

But recently, on March 19, 2025, the Texas Senate approved a total THC ban. Lubbock Senator Charles Perry authored bill SB3, “which targets natural and synthetic forms of THC, but wouldn’t affect the status of two other popular, non-intoxicating cannabinoids: cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG).” Lt. Governor Dan Patrick warned retailers at a pre-session press conference, saying, “we’re going to ban your stores… we’re going to protect the people of Texas from THC.” In some cases, particularly with high doses or in susceptible individuals, THC can induce temporary hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. Texas Senate's push for a total THC ban is primarily due to public health and safety concerns, especially regarding the increasing number of children who have been able to find access to "intoxicating THC" products.

As far as the bill’s chances to become law, Lonestar Vitality believes it won’t pass Texas House. Escobedo referenced the 2015 Texas Compassionate Use Act (Senate Bill 339) and the Texas Compassionate-Use Program (TACP) that established requirements “for the licensing and registration of dispensaries who provide low-THC cannabis to qualified patients.” 10 medical conditions qualify: ALS, autism, cancer, epilepsy, incurable neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, seizure disorder, and spasticity.

Lonestar Vitality cannabis products are kept behind the counter or in closed cabinets.

Arthritis? Inflammation? Escobedo said, “we’ve got a balm for that.” Anxiety? Depression? There’s a tincture for that. They sell drops, capsules, flower, pre-rolls, topicals, edibles, vapes, and pharmaceutical grade vitamins. A molecular diagram of CBD, CBG, CBC, THC in Lonestar Vitality’s lobby exhibits the different benefits of each strain. Cannabinoids were linked with the healing potential to “kill cancer cells, reduce blood sugar, relieve pain, aid sleep, control appetite, reduce muscle spasms, and/or lower blood pressure.”

Lonestar Vitality sees plants as medicine. Escobedo said, “I’m not against regulation, I’m against overregulation.” He said cannabis is natural, “a seed that grows in the dirt can’t be illegal.” When asked about the future of the business, Escobedo replied, “it’s a hard time to make any type of plans.” He said the tumultuous economic and legislative state of affairs leaves him uncertain, but hopeful they can continue to adapt.

The shop is open to all, anyone over 21 years old. Yes, IDs are always checked. Escobedo said, “if you are curious, don’t be scared to come in, we are willing to educate.” They want to help inform the community. Cannabis rule number one, he said, is “start low and slow.”