Today, Gov. Abbott issued a sweeping executive order aimed at regulating hemp products that contain THC after Texas lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on how to handle the booming market. For three legislative sessions, proposals to either regulate or ban hemp-derived THC stalled. Now Gov. Abbott has decided to act on his own, framing the move as a way to protect children while preserving freedom for adults.
Under the new order, Gov. Abbott allows THC products to remain largely legal but directs state agencies to impose stricter rules. The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will be tasked with banning sales to minors, requiring ID checks, and increasing enforcement. Vendors who fail to comply with the new regulations risk losing their licenses — a direct signal from Gov. Abbott that the state means business.
The executive order also instructs health officials to review and strengthen existing testing and labeling requirements for THC products. According to Gov. Abbott , consumers deserve to know exactly what they’re buying, and stronger oversight will bring much-needed clarity to the hemp industry.
Industry advocates see the move by Gov. Abbott as a victory, arguing that smart regulation will allow reputable businesses to flourish and push out bad actors. Susan Hayes, a lawyer and cannabis industry lobbyist, noted that while the Texas governor’s power is more limited than that of the U.S. president, the steps Gov. Abbott is taking appear to be legally sound.
Not everyone agrees. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and State Senator Charles Perry, both of whom supported banning hemp-derived THC products entirely, warn that Gov. Abbott's executive order still leaves harmful products on store shelves. Perry has vowed to continue pushing for a full ban on synthetic and converted cannabinoids, saying the fight is far from over despite Gov. Abbott's intervention.
For the hemp industry, however, the executive order by Gov. Abbott signals a new era of regulatory stability. Businesses that have struggled with legal uncertainty now have a clearer roadmap for compliance. While the rulemaking process — which typically takes about two months and includes public comment — still has to play out, Gov. Abbott has made clear that he views this as the beginning of serious cannabis regulation in Texas, not the end.
With this executive order, Gov. Abbott steps into the void left by legislative inaction, setting the tone for how Texas will handle hemp-derived THC products until at least the next legislative session.
