Abbott will likely direct his Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to create rules for THC.
Renzo D. Downey The Texas Tribune
Gov. According to three sources who have spoken with the governor’s office, Greg Abbott will be issuing an executive order soon that regulates THC. The age limit for purchasing these products in Texas will also increase to 21.
After Lt. Dan Patrick announced (R) that House, Senate, and Abbott will not come to an agreement. Patrick is set against a ban. Abbott, however, wants a regulatory structure similar to what he described on page 3 of the Senate Bill 3 (veto) letter.
The reporters at the Friday signing asked Abbott if, in order to pass a THC law by 2027, he’d wait for that time or hold a special session.
Abbott replied, “I’ll say to stay tuned,”. It may soon happen something.
Abbott will likely direct his Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to create rules for THC. The document outlines a possible framework for rules. However, sources have said that this framework is not final.
- Age minimum of 21 to buy or enter into certain businesses
- ID checking
- Distances from Schools
- Labeling requirements
- Checking products for the presence of THC
- Businesses are facing higher fees
These rules would regulate THC in a similar manner to that of liquor shops and may be seen by some as favoring liquor stores amid declines in alcohol sales nationwide. Supermarkets and other stores that sell beer and wine — and THC products currently — could be barred from sales.
Abbott proposed in his veto message of June that legislators could adopt a system similar to how alcohol is regulated with strict enforcement from an agency, such as the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Abbott’s Office declined to make any comment.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/09/greg-abbott-thc-executive-order-21-texas/.