The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has enacted emergency rules that ban the sale of consumable hemp products to individuals under 21 years old. The new regulations apply to all licensed and registered sellers of these products in the state.
The rules, which took effect immediately following approval by Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young, are DSHS’s initial action to carry out Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order aimed at protecting minors from hemp and hemp-derived items. According to the department, a minor is defined as anyone younger than 21. Sellers must verify that purchasers have valid identification proving they meet the age requirement. Violations can result in penalties, including the loss of a license or registration.
These emergency measures can remain active for up to 120 days and may be extended once for an additional 60 days. In parallel, DSHS has started developing permanent rules to uphold the age restriction and address other parts of the governor’s directive. The public will be able to comment on proposed permanent rules during a hearing after their publication.
Updates for consumable hemp licensees and retail hemp registrants about rule development will be provided by DSHS.
