Texas’s legislature failed to pass the bill twice. Greg Abbott, who called for special sessions to be held to address the issue of hemp THC in the Lone Star State.
Abbott says he will “soon issue” an executive order, which is likely to direct the Texas Department of State Health Services, to publish rules for the hemp cannabinoid industry. This includes products that contain THC, and other compounds intoxicating derived form the plant. The Texas Tribune reported Sept. 9.
Abbott called for a special meeting in July. Clarifications He wanted to set a 21-year-old minimum purchase age for cannabinoid products. Products intended for human consumption would be limited to 0.3% or 3 milligrams per serving. Consumable hemp products that contain synthetic cannabinoids such as delta-8THC, which is created in the lab by converting nonintoxicating CBD to THC, will also be banned.
Abbott at the time said: “Let me make it clear, I support doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our children as well as the rights of adults.”
The executive order, which is expected to be issued soon, could address other issues, such as age verification requirements, labeling and testing requirements, the distance between retailers of hemp products and schools, or even business fee increases. Tribune.
Many of the approximately 6,000-8,000 companies that operate in Texas hemp THC products support the majority of proposed product safety safeguards.
The Texas Hemp Business Council issued a press release calling for reforms after the Texas Legislature, at its conclusion of a special session that adjourned on September 3, failed to respond for a third time to Abbott’s request for regulations.
A group of industry professionals has called for attention. The 2019 Legislation Hemp products that are consumed already have to be tested, licensed, labelled and certified of their analysis.
The THBC also called attention to the fact that the Legislature ended its second session of special sessions without passing House Bill 36. Sponsored by Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth), the bill aimed to improve consumer safety with many of Abbott’s regulations.
“We will continue to push for reasonable additions like those in H.B. 36, which includes limiting the sale of alcohol to adults 21 years and older and requiring child-resistant packaging. Statement. “Unfortunately opponents within the Senate leadership have rejected these measures both during the 88th, and 89th, legislative sessions, while pressing for outright prohibitions. This is contrary to the public opinion, and against common sense. It has created a manufactured crises driven by special interest, and not Texans.”
In particular, Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick, presiding Officer of the Senate rejected repeatedly the Governor’s request for regulation, and pushed for the same ban as Abbott vetoed In June, following the regular session.
Patrick, after the Governor and House Leaders failed to find a middle ground during the second special meeting on Sept. 3 said: “My position is unchanged. The Senate and I support a THC total ban.”
Abbott’s possible executive order is not the only one to deal with an intoxicating market that has sprung up in the wake of the 2018 Farm Bill which legalized hemp on a federal level beyond the state pilot program.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Governor emergency rules In September 2024, the Department of Public Health of California was directed to ban industrial hemp foods, beverages and supplements for human consumption that contain detectable levels of THC and “comparable cannabinoids” and restrict purchases of other hemp products to people over 21.
The Texas Governor indicated that the executive action may be “soon”, even though the details and timeline of Abbott’s possible executive order are still to be determined. questioned FOX7 reporter Rudy Koski asked on Sept. 5, about the possibility of a third session, to discuss hemp THC-based products. This was because the Texas Legislature will not convene its next regular session before 2027.
Abbott stated, “I’ll say to stay on the ball.” Something may happen soon.