Texas House Panel Advances THC Regulation Bill with Stricter Rules, No Ban
A Texas House panel has approved a bill aimed at regulating the state’s hemp industry, which has seen a surge in popularity since the GOP-controlled Legislature inadvertently legalized the sale of consumable hemp in 2019. The bill, which was advanced on a 15-0 vote, would impose stricter regulations on the industry, including age restrictions, child-resistant packaging, and sales bans within 1,000 feet of schools and other areas frequented by children.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ken King, would allow retailers to continue selling edibles and drinks, as well as low-dose smokable hemp flowers, but would ban vapes and allow counties to vote to ban consumable hemp. The regulations are designed to address concerns that the industry has exploited a loophole in the current law, which sets a 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC for hemp products but not for other hemp derivatives.
The bill is a compromise between the House and the Senate, which has advanced a bill that would ban THC products altogether. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, has threatened to force an overtime legislative session if lawmakers fail to pass a ban.
Hemp industry leaders have welcomed the House bill as a more moderate approach, while also acknowledging that it falls short of their ideal solution. The bill now heads to the House Calendars Committee, which will decide whether to schedule it for a floor vote.
