Washington Ho Opens Houston CBD Store as Company Targets 500 Locations

Reality TV figure and entrepreneur Washington Ho has opened a CBD dispensary in Houston, adding a new retail location to the city’s growing cannabis-adjacent business landscape. The opening also comes with a much larger goal: company leaders say they are pursuing an expansion strategy that could grow the brand to 500 stores.

The move places Ho’s latest venture in one of Texas’ most closely watched consumer sectors. While CBD products remain distinct from marijuana under state and federal rules, demand for wellness-oriented retail products has helped create a competitive and fast-changing market in Houston and across Texas.

Houston CBD dispensary expansion draws attention

Ho is known publicly for his television profile, but this launch centers on business growth rather than entertainment. The new Houston CBD dispensary is part of a broader retail push designed to scale well beyond a single local storefront.

For Houston, the opening reflects continued investor interest in health, lifestyle, and specialty retail concepts. It also shows how public figures are using name recognition to enter consumer markets that still have room for brand differentiation. In a crowded field, visibility can help, but long-term success will likely depend on location strategy, compliance, and repeat customers.

The reported 500-store target signals an aggressive vision. That kind of rollout would require capital, supply chain consistency, franchise or corporate-store planning, and careful attention to varying regulations from market to market. Even so, announcing a goal of that size indicates confidence in consumer demand and the scalability of the business model.

Why it matters

Houston is a natural testing ground for this kind of concept. The region’s population size, strong retail corridors, and broad customer base make it attractive for new wellness and specialty brands. A high-profile opening can also draw attention from other entrepreneurs, landlords, and investors watching where consumer dollars are moving.

Moreover, CBD remains a category that blends health, lifestyle, and retail trends. That creates opportunity, but it also raises the stakes for operators. Businesses in this space must manage product education, consumer trust, and shifting legal interpretations while competing on price and experience.

What’s next

The near-term focus will likely be on local traction in Houston and whether the new store can translate publicity into sustained foot traffic. Beyond that, observers will be watching for details on how the company plans to execute its wider expansion, including whether future growth comes through franchising, partnerships, or direct ownership.

If the rollout advances, Houston could serve as an early proof point for a much larger strategy. That makes the opening notable not only as a celebrity-backed launch, but also as a business development story with potential implications for retail expansion in Texas.

This article is a summary of reporting by The Business Journals. Read the full story here.