New permanent rules governing Texas’ hemp industry have been finalized by the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission, replacing emergency regulations that took effect last fall.
The rules, adopted Jan. 20, largely mirror the temporary measures put in place in September, including establishing a statewide age limit for purchasing and selling hemp consumables and strengthening identification requirements. Under the new regulations, hemp products may only be sold to customers 21 and older, and sellers are required to verify a customer’s age.
One notable change from the temporary rules adopted in 2025 is a softer enforcement approach. The permanent rules remove a provision that would have allowed the commission to revoke a business’ license for selling hemp consumables to a minor. Instead, the TABC may impose temporary license suspensions rather than immediate cancellations.
At the same time, Texas health officials are considering separate proposed rules that could significantly raise the cost of doing business for the state’s hemp industry. Those proposals would increase registration and licensing fees for some retailers and manufacturers by as much as 10,000%, according to state documents.
The proposed fee increases would affect businesses that sell or produce hemp products, including items containing THC and CBD, potentially placing a substantial financial burden on the rapidly growing industry.
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