By Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an executive order on Wednesday directing state agencies to ban the sale of THC products to minors, after state lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on restrictions this year.
“Texas will not wait when it comes to protecting children and families,” Abbott said in a statement. “While these products would still benefit from the kind of comprehensive regulation set by the Texas Legislature for substances like alcohol and tobacco, my executive order makes sure that kids are kept safe and parents have peace of mind now, and that consumers know the products they purchase are tested and labeled responsibly.”
Marijuana remains illegal in Texas, but the state has moved in recent years to allow the sale of hemp-derived products with lower levels of THC, including edibles and infused drinks.
Abbott had pressed the state Legislature to ban the sale of hemp products to customers under the age of 21 during two special sessions earlier this year but the effort stalled in both. The governor vetoed legislation approved in the regular session, citing “valid constitutional challenges” because it would impact the ability of farmers to cultivate legal hemp.
Abbott has stressed that he didn’t want to entirely outlaw THC products.
“Safety for kids, freedom for adults,” he wrote in a post on X announcing his executive order.
Abbott’s order requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to draft agency-level rules to implement the ban.
The order also directs DSHS, TABC, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and other relevant agencies to work to create a regulatory framework for hemp-based products in the state.