{"id":2775,"date":"2026-01-24T15:15:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T15:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tcysapc.org\/?p=2775"},"modified":"2026-01-24T15:16:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T15:16:46","slug":"tabc-finalizes-rules-for-hemp-industry-in-texas-but-debate-likely-to-continue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tcysapc.org\/?p=2775","title":{"rendered":"TABC finalizes rules for hemp industry in Texas, but debate likely to continue"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"HempNew regulations for the consumable hemp<\/a> industry were approved by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).\u00a0\u00a0The rules change little for the $5 billion industry, replacing the temporary emergency rules in place since September. The rules prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products by TABC license holders to people under 21 and require ID checks on all sales.<\/p>\n

The permanent rules also pull back on some of the stricter measures in the emergency rules. The new proposal removes a \u201cone strike\u201d provision that allows TABC to cancel the license of any business found to have sold the products to a minor or that failed to check a customer\u2019s ID. The permanent rules allow for the agency to temporarily suspend licenses for less egregious violations.<\/p>\n

The rules apply to 60,000 TABC license holders, including convenience stores, restaurants and liquor stores, many of which sell consumable hemp products.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s much like alcohol, the same reasons we regulate alcohol to those aged 21 and older,\u201d said Robert Eckels, chair of the TABC board. \u201cYou see not only developmental problems, and you need a level of maturity to use these products or it can be very harmful to the kids and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n