Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to issue an executive order to regulate the state’s $5.5 billion marijuana-derived THC market.
The Texas Tribune reported that Abbott banned action on bans on marijuana-derived THC products at a special session of the state legislature last week.
When an unrelated bill was signed on Friday, reporters asked Abbott if he would wait until 2027 to call THC or another special session.
Texas lawmakers meet once in Austin and regularly legislate every two years.
According to the Tribune, “I will say, ‘Stay tuned’,” Abbott replied. “It might happen soon.”
According to Tribune, three people close to the governor’s office said Abbott will issue executive orders to marijuana.
Alcohol regulations for Texas hemp-derived THC products
The timeline for the Abbot executive order is not yet clear.
Abbott’s office declined to comment on the Texas Tribune.
However, he expects he will direct the National Health Services Department to formulate rules that regulate cannabis-derived THC products.
The expected rules will be similar to those around alcohol, such as:
- The lowest age for 21 months of age will be purchased or entered into certain businesses.
- Requires ID check.
- Establish distance restrictions from the school.
- Implement label requirements.
- THC potency test is required.
- Increase the company’s expenses.
It’s the latest chapter in a long-running legend, with Republican Gov. Dan Patrick and the State Senate working to impose a blanket ban on products starting last winter.
The Legislature passed such a ban during its regular meeting in June, but Abbott vetoed it and instead called for regulation.
“Lawmakers can consider a way to regulate alcohol and be strictly enforced by agencies such as the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission,” Abbott wrote in Chapter 3 of the Senate Veto Act in June.
The new regulations will be similar to how alcohol is sold.
It stores alcohol as beneficiaries, especially as alcohol sales decline nationwide.
Meanwhile, supermarkets selling beer, wine and cannabis products and other retailers selling beer, wine and cannabis products can be excluded from THC sales under the new regulations.
The chances of only getting low-tax cannabis oil through the state’s medical cannabis program are limited, and cannabis THC products are very popular in Texas.
