Texas Bans Retail Sales Of Smokeable Hemp

Ever since Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1325 into law last year, which allowed for the production, manufacturing, retail sale, and inspection of hemp products in Texas, there's been a lot of confusion about the law and what is and what isn't considered "legal".

Under that law, lawmakers created a hemp program in the last legislative session under the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) whose goals were to come up with rules and regulations for the hemp industry in Texas. After nearly a year of discussion and public input on the matter, The DSHS has released its final rules to govern the state's hemp program according to KSAT.

The new rule that is already having a direct impact on retailers and smoke shops here in Central Texas is that retail sales of smokeable hemp, which has far less THC than marijuana, has been banned in Texas. The policy went into effect Aug. 2nd.

The production and manufacture of smokeable hemp in Texas was already outlawed in the original bill, but it didn't mention a ban on it being sold in stores which has now been cleared up by the new rules from DSHS.

While you will still be able to purchase hemp tinctures, lotions, edibles and loose flower, opponents say that the new rules are a cause of concern for customers who have come to rely on smokeable hemp products for relief.

You know what would really end all this confusion in my opinion? LEGALIZING POT.